Earlier this month, the founder of Three Rings, a volunteer management software system, began receiving unexpected phone calls from users. Typically, Three Rings offers tech support via email and web-based queries, but the influx of calls was unusual and raised concerns. By the fourth call, the founder decided to inquire about the source of the number. The caller revealed that a simple Google search for "Three Rings login" displayed the founder's personal mobile number alongside a "Call" button. Intrigued and alarmed by this revelation, the founder conducted a Google search himself and confirmed the issue. His personal number had inexplicably appeared on the Google Business Profile for Three Rings CIC, a change that he did not authorize. The founder recalled providing his phone number to Google during an identity verification process in the past but had explicitly stated that it should not be shared publicly. Despite this, Google seemingly began sharing the number at some point within the last few weeks. Determined to address the situation, the founder logged into his Google Business Profile account and removed his personal phone number. Within a few minutes, the number stopped appearing in search results. However, this action also eliminated a message that indicated Google had updated the number, along with a "Learn more" link that might have provided insights into the unauthorized change. This incident sparked worry among the tech community about data privacy and consent. The founder began to reflect on recent data breaches, such as Halifax bank's inadvertent sharing of his credit agreement details with strangers. These recurring issues raised concerns about whether simple mistakes like clicking the wrong button on a popup could lead to significant privacy violations. The founder of Three Rings emphasized the decentralized nature of their volunteer team, which works remotely and rarely meets in person. This structure makes it challenging to manage and communicate tech support effectively, especially when unexpected changes like this occur. The situation highlights the importance of careful data handling and the potential pitfalls of relying on third-party platforms for critical business information. Industry insiders reacted strongly to the news. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, commented that this kind of data exposure could erode trust in digital platforms and services. Tim Cook, CEO of Apple, added that companies must prioritize user privacy and transparency in their operations, emphasizing that unauthorized sharing of personal information is unacceptable. Google, known for its vast suite of services and data collection practices, has faced scrutiny over privacy issues before. This latest incident adds to the growing list of complaints from users who feel their information is handled carelessly. The founder of Three Rings suggested that users should regularly check and update their information on Google Business Profile to prevent similar issues. In conclusion, the unauthorized display of personal information on Google’s search results underscores the need for robust privacy policies and clearer user controls. It is crucial for both individuals and businesses to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to protect their data, especially when using platforms that collect and manage large amounts of personal information.