Google, the world's largest search engine, said on Friday that it is expanding options to keep personal information out of internet searches, according to the Associated Press. In a statement, the company said that people would be able to request that more content, such as phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses, be removed from search results.

According to the agency, the new policy also allows for the removal of other information that may pose a danger for identity theft, such as confidential log-in credentials.

“An open access to information is vital, but so is empowering people with tools they need to protect themselves and keep their sensitive, personally identifiable information private,” Google said in a statement.

“Privacy and online safety go hand in hand. And when you're using the internet, it's important to have control over how your sensitive, personally identifiable information can be found," the statement added.

Previously, users may request that highly personal information that could directly cause harm to be deleted from the search engine. It includes information such as bank account or credit card numbers, which may be exploited to commit fraud.

But information increasing pops up in unexpected places and is used in new ways, so policies need to evolve, the company said.

Having personal contact information publicly available online may also be dangerous, and Google stated that it has received requests for the ability to erase that content as well.

“It's important to remember that removing content from Google Search won't remove it from the internet, which is why you may wish to contact the hosting site directly if you're comfortable doing so," it said.

During the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit last year, Google CEO Sundar Pichai stated that privacy is fundamental and that the company is working hard to secure user data, adding that artificial intelligence would provide more privacy over time.