The issue focused on the "right to be forgotten" — a provision of the federal privacy law that allows Internet companies to erase records after a user leaves the site.

The ruling was a blow to tech companies, including Google, that say they have no plans to fight it in court. They are arguing that the data is irrelevant, since it's already in Google's hands.

"It is important to remember that the law is designed to protect the privacy rights of the Internet user while protecting the interests