Did you know that Google has a feature that helps you monitor whether your personal information has made it onto the dark web? Well, not for much longer, anyway.
The tech giant has begun informing users via email that it will soon discontinue its opt-in dark web report, which would scan the slimier regions of the internet and notify you whether your data, such as contact info and home addresses, had been leaked there.
In its message to users, Google said the report will stop searching for new results on January 15, 2026, following by a complete shutdown on February 16. This comes not that long after the feature’s July 2024 launch for all users.
“While the report offered general information, feedback showed that it did not provide helpful next steps,” wrote Google of the change, via 9to5Google. “We’re making this change to instead focus on tools that give you more clear, actionable steps to protect your information online. We will continue to track and defend you from online threats, including the dark web, and build tools that help protect you and your personal information.”
While Google toils away on alternatives, it advises users to strengthen their security and privacy with its existing tools, including Security and Privacy Checkups, Passkey, 2-Step Verification, Google Password Manager, Password Checkup and Results about you.
Header image credit: Shutterstock
Via: 9to5Google
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