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Google has confirmed it will shut down the Dark Web Report feature in February 2026, ending its built-in monitoring tool that alerts users if their personal data appears on the dark web. This feature was introduced about a year and a half ago.
Scanning for new dark web breaches will stop on January 16, 2026. The feature will fully shut down on February 16, and all related user data will be deleted from Google’s servers. Users have already started receiving email notices about the shutdown.
Users who want to remove their information sooner can delete their monitoring profile by visiting “Results with your info,” selecting “Edit monitoring profile,” and choosing “Delete monitoring profile” at the bottom.
Once a monitoring profile is deleted, access to the Dark Web Report will end immediately.
Google has also clarified that the Dark Web Report was only available to consumer Google accounts. Google Workspace and supervised accounts were not eligible for the feature.
The Dark Web Report was designed to scan data from known breaches and alert users if sensitive details such as email addresses, phone numbers, names, or even Social Security numbers were found in leaked databases. It is a helpful tool amid the rise in online data breaches.
However, many users felt the tool did not truly help them protect themselves. According to Google’s support page, feedback showed that the feature often “failed to guide people on what to do next after receiving an alert.” Reddit users also noted that the alerts did not specify which accounts or websites were affected.
Google acknowledged these concerns in its announcement. “We’re making this change to instead focus on tools that give you clearer, actionable steps to protect your information online,” the company wrote. “We’ll continue to track and defend you from online threats, including the dark web, and build tools that help protect you and your personal information.”
Google is encouraging people to use security tools such as Security Checkup, Password Manager, and Password Checkup. Security Checkup reviews account safety settings and passkeys, which allow users to sign in without traditional passwords.
Google said its goal is to “simplify online protection and guide users toward tools that offer clearer steps to stay safe in an increasingly complex digital environment.”
Also Read: Cyber Threats 2025: Dark Web Hacks, AI Malware, and Ransomware Take Center Stage
Google’s decision to shut down the Dark Web Report feature indicates a shift in how the company approaches consumer-facing security tools. It highlights the growing complexity of online identity protection. Users may need to look for multiple platforms and adopt several layers of security to stay protected, with the growth of cyber threats
