Can I remove my personal information from a website?

Under the Privacy Act, if the information an agency holds about you is incorrect, you can ask an agency to correct your personal information, which includes deletion from a website or removal from the agency’s records. However, there is no general right to request deletion of information under the Privacy Act.

If the information is incorrect you can ask the agency to remove or correct the information in order to address your concerns. The agency will then decide if the request can be implemented.

However, increasingly companies which operate online are providing facilities which let you report concerns about the way in which your personal information is being used. Google(external link), Microsoft(external link), Facebook(external link), Instagram(external link) and X(external link) all let you request certain personal information is removed (either from the website or from search results).

The Privacy Act makes it clear that overseas companies 'carrying on business' in New Zealand will be subject to the Act's privacy obligations, even if they do not have a physical presence here.If the issue is serious, there are rights to seek a takedown of sensitive personal information under the Harmful Digital Communications Act, if you have complained to Netsafe first.For more general information on resolving internet complaints, we also suggest you contact Netsafe(external link). 

Updated October 2025