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How to Remove Your Information from World-Check: 5 Essential Steps
Avagard Global experts have a proven track record of successfully completing numerous projects to neutralize materials listed in the database.
Finding yourself listed in World-Check can be disheartening, but it's not a cause for panic. Refinitiv, the owner of World-Check, recognizes the potential for errors and provides a process for correcting or removing profiles through a formal request. Our experience demonstrates that this process is often successful, especially when approached systematically using a consistent five-step method.
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We will promptly check World-Check and help you correct the status.
Step 1: Analyze the Client's Online Profile
As you may know from our previous articles on World-Check, the database primarily aggregates information from open sources, such as online media and social networks.
For instance, we've observed that a primary driver for assigning PEP (Politically Exposed Person) status is information from search engines like Google and Yandex regarding an individual's ties to the government.
Furthermore, individuals who have been targets of negative PR campaigns, featuring unsubstantiated allegations of illegal activities, connections to sanctioned entities or individuals, or involvement in legal proceedings, are highly likely to appear in World-Check without verification. Unfortunately, World-Check often operates under a "presumed guilty" principle, particularly for Russian citizens.
Therefore, a thorough assessment of one's digital profile is a critical initial step. The goal is to identify open-source materials that have led, or could lead, to problematic entries in World-Check or raise concerns from banking compliance departments and other organizations.
For instance, we've observed that a primary driver for assigning PEP (Politically Exposed Person) status is information from search engines like Google and Yandex regarding an individual's ties to the government.
Furthermore, individuals who have been targets of negative PR campaigns, featuring unsubstantiated allegations of illegal activities, connections to sanctioned entities or individuals, or involvement in legal proceedings, are highly likely to appear in World-Check without verification. Unfortunately, World-Check often operates under a "presumed guilty" principle, particularly for Russian citizens.
Therefore, a thorough assessment of one's digital profile is a critical initial step. The goal is to identify open-source materials that have led, or could lead, to problematic entries in World-Check or raise concerns from banking compliance departments and other organizations.
IMPORTANT: The diagnostic process should identify not only explicitly negative information (e.g., involvement in legal proceedings, compromising materials) but also information that elevates the individual's overall compliance risk. This includes connections to government entities (such as holding a senior management position in a state-owned corporation, being a government official, or having close family ties to officials or politicians) or strong links to the Russian Federation (e.g., significant business operations within the country, receipt of state honors). Refinitiv World-Check and the compliance departments of international organizations frequently consider Russia a high-risk jurisdiction.
IMPORTANT: World-Check screens search results for individuals across multiple countries. Therefore, the digital profile assessment must encompass both the individual's country of citizenship/residence (e.g., the Russian Federation) and international sources. At a minimum, this should include the UK, where World-Check's headquarters are located.
Step 2: Neutralize Negative and Irrelevant Online Content
If the initial assessment reveals no negative or outdated data, proceed to Step 3. However, if online information increases the client's compliance risk, it's crucial to neutralize it. Overlooking this step is a common reason for unsuccessful World-Check data removal requests.
To neutralize negativity and mitigate potentially damaging information, the Avagard Global team employs a comprehensive suite of tools: direct removal through negotiations with website owners, legal mechanisms (deindexing, litigation), and Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM) techniques to suppress negative search results. Each tool has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the optimal approach depends on the specific circumstances. Avagard's Global experience indicates that a combination of these methods often yields the best results.
To neutralize negativity and mitigate potentially damaging information, the Avagard Global team employs a comprehensive suite of tools: direct removal through negotiations with website owners, legal mechanisms (deindexing, litigation), and Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM) techniques to suppress negative search results. Each tool has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the optimal approach depends on the specific circumstances. Avagard's Global experience indicates that a combination of these methods often yields the best results.
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We will audit your digital profile and neutralize defamatory and irrelevant information on the network.
Step 3: Publishing Positive and Relevant Information
After neutralizing negative, irrelevant, or false data, it's essential to publish content in reputable media outlets that accurately reflects the individual's current status. The goal is to create a digital profile that minimizes compliance risk during reviews. Compliance departments rely on both online information and databases when assessing clients.
Avagard Global Case
Our client had ceased being a State Duma deputy over a decade ago. However, at the project's outset, searches for his name in Yandex and Google, both within Russia and internationally, still yielded websites incorrectly listing him as a current deputy due to outdated information. Consequently, the client was flagged in World-Check with PEP status.
While we successfully removed some materials using "right to be forgotten" requests, many others could not be de-indexed. The client also opted against litigation due to concerns about publicity. Therefore, we implemented Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM) techniques to push the remaining unwanted materials to the lower ranks of search results. In this instance, SERM provided faster, more predictable results with a lower budget compared to alternative methods. Furthermore, we published several articles in prominent media outlets highlighting his current status as an entrepreneur. The optimized digital profile ultimately enabled us to correct the inaccurate information in World-Check and remove the PEP designation.
Our client had ceased being a State Duma deputy over a decade ago. However, at the project's outset, searches for his name in Yandex and Google, both within Russia and internationally, still yielded websites incorrectly listing him as a current deputy due to outdated information. Consequently, the client was flagged in World-Check with PEP status.
While we successfully removed some materials using "right to be forgotten" requests, many others could not be de-indexed. The client also opted against litigation due to concerns about publicity. Therefore, we implemented Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM) techniques to push the remaining unwanted materials to the lower ranks of search results. In this instance, SERM provided faster, more predictable results with a lower budget compared to alternative methods. Furthermore, we published several articles in prominent media outlets highlighting his current status as an entrepreneur. The optimized digital profile ultimately enabled us to correct the inaccurate information in World-Check and remove the PEP designation.
Step 4: Document Preparation
With negative information addressed, you can proceed to Step 4: preparing supporting documentation. The specific documents required will vary depending on the information needing clarification or correction. This might include documents verifying the source of funds or references to specific provisions of Russian legislation to support your arguments. Refinitiv may reject requests to correct or remove information from World-Check if the necessary documentation is missing.
Step 5: Submit Your Request to World-Check
After submitting a request to correct or delete data from World-Check, you should anticipate potential follow-up inquiries from Refinitiv. It's crucial to respond promptly and provide any requested information.
When executed correctly, this process offers a high probability of success. However, it involves numerous nuances that can significantly impact the outcome. To minimize risk, consider engaging professionals. The Avagard Global team comprises lawyers and compliance experts with backgrounds in international banks and law firms, alongside SEO specialists and PR strategists. We have a proven track record of successfully neutralizing negative online content and removing data from World-Check in numerous cases.