A C-suite executive at a global business faced significant reputational risk due to outdated, negative online media coverage. The brief was clear:
Remove or delist all negative content relating to the executive, particularly from search engine results to protect their professional standing and personal privacy.
An initial online vulnerability assessment was undertaken to identify all negative content. However, the assessment also uncovered broader digital security risks associated with the executive’s wider online presence. Given the nature of these vulnerabilities, the brief was expanded to not only address the content removal but also to strengthen the executive’s overall digital resilience.
Minimising Online Risk and Secure the Executive’s Right to be Forgotten
The engagement centred on two core objectives:
- Reduce the threat of online exposure by mitigating the vulnerabilities identified; and
- Remove or delist negative, outdated content across search engines and online platforms.
Comprehensive Online Risk Mitigation and Content Removal
Digital Security and Privacy Workshop for Executive Leadership
A tailored digital security and privacy workshop was delivered to the executive and the wider leadership team to address the immediate digital vulnerabilities. Supported by cybersecurity experts, the workshop focused on enhancing online privacy awareness and providing practical education on effectively managing digital vulnerabilities.
Strengthening Digital Security Measures for Executive Protection
The executive’s digital security was strengthened through the implementation of multi-layered protection measures, including the use of password managers, complex and unique passwords, breach monitoring systems, and multi-factor authentication. A continuous alert and monitoring system was recommended to track key online activities across both open and closed sources, ensuring proactive risk management.
Social Media Risk Management to Minimise Online Exposure
A comprehensive review of personal and professional social media profiles was conducted to reduce exposure. Best practice methods were applied, including increasing privacy settings, removing direct references to the executive’s full name and eliminating any additional digital vulnerabilities. Ongoing education around data privacy was introduced to ensure a higher level of vigilance when interacting with third parties online.
Content Removal and Right to be Forgotten Requests
In parallel, efforts to remove or delist outdated negative content were initiated. Each listed website and news organisation was contacted, with removal requests based on the age of the content, the detrimental impact on the executive’s professional career, and the increased risk of privacy breaches (particularly through social engineering threats). Where applicable, removal requests were supported by legal arguments under the ‘right to be forgotten’ provisions of Article 17 of the UK GDPR.
Strategic PR Campaign to Refresh Executive’s Online Presence
To reinforce a positive online presence, a strategic public relations campaign encouraging career-aligned and positive content was launched to ensure that search engines began to surface updated and relevant results, further supporting the executive’s reputation management goals.
Tangible Reduction of Online Risk and Reputational Recovery
The engagement delivered strong, measurable outcomes. Six articles, including national media publications, were successfully removed in their entirety. Twelve links were delisted from Google search results, significantly reducing the visibility of outdated and damaging coverage to a single article.
Beyond the content removal, the executive’s digital footprint is now substantially more secure. Privacy settings have been strengthened, cybersecurity protocols are fully operational, and a real-time monitoring system ensures proactive management of future risks. The executive’s refreshed online presence now aligns more closely with current professional achievements, providing a resilient foundation for ongoing leadership visibility.
Leadership Insight
“Privacy is no longer a passive right, it’s an active responsibility for today’s leaders. Investing in proactive digital risk management protects reputations and fortifies resilience against future threats.”
Proactive digital risk assessments, strategic content removal and a strengthened online security framework are critical to safeguarding a C-suite executive’s reputation in an environment where outdated information can easily resurface.