Google to remove 'revenge porn' from search results

"University of Maryland law professor Danielle Citron, an expert in online harassment and author of Hate Crimes in Cyberspace, applauded the move. The search engine used the world over has unparalleled influence over what people can and cannot find on the Internet.

Google and other technology companies have come under growing public pressure to take down intimate photos posted without the subject's consent and remove links to that content.

Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) is about to introduce federal legislation that would ban revenge porn. Comedian John Oliver is planning to feature the subject Sunday on his HBO show Last Week Tonight.

"What we have seen in the last six months is this public consciousness about the profound economic and social impact of that posting nude images without someone's consent and often in violation of their trust can have on people's lives," Citron said. "What victims will often tell you and what they tell me is that what they want most is not to have search results where their employers, clients and colleagues can Google them and see these nude photos. It's not just humiliating, it wrecks their chances for employment. It makes them undatable and unemployable."

She says Google's decision is consistent with its policies.

"Some special narrow categories of sensitive personal information have no value to public debate and exact serious harm," Citron said."