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Google announced it will shut down its Dark Web Report service, which was used to notify users about data breaches. The tool will cease functioning as early as mid-February 2026.
Google has decided to discontinue the Dark Web Report feature, which launched in March 2023. Initially available only to Google One subscribers, the service was opened to everyone in 2024. Now, a year later, the company has decided to shut down the project: the feature will stop scanning the dark web on January 15, 2026, and all old reports will be deleted by February 16, 2026.
The tool allowed users to learn when their email address or other personal data had appeared on the dark web. Google regularly scanned underground forums and websites, then notified users where exactly their data had been discovered and what information had been exposed. Following this notification, the company recommended that victims enable two-factor authentication to protect their accounts.
[td]An example of Dark Web Report in action. Photo: Bleeping Computer[/td]In a letter to users, Google explained the reasons for shutting down the service: the tool didn't provide useful recommendations for further action. In other words, warnings that a person's data was circulating somewhere on the dark web were of little help in changing anything.
[td]"The Dark Web Report provided only general information, and feedback showed it didn't offer helpful next steps," Google representatives wrote. "We're making changes to focus instead on tools that provide clearer and more effective steps to protect your information online. We'll continue to monitor and protect you from online threats, including the dark web, and build tools to help protect you and your personal information."[/td]Essentially, the problem was that Google had no control over what was happening on the dark web and was unable to remove data from it. The company could only remind users of the problem.
Experts explain that the company will now focus on other security tools that offer more specific and actionable recommendations. These include Google Password Manager and Password Checkup. The latter checks whether a user's passwords have appeared in known leaks and warns if a password has been compromised. Furthermore, the company emphasizes that it will continue to work on Security Checkup and Privacy Checkup, as well as develop support for Passkey and two-factor authentication.
Another tool the company is focusing on is Results About You . This feature allows users to search for personal information (such as a phone number or home address) and then request its removal from Google search results.
However, journalists from Bleeping Computer note that some users will miss the Dark Web Report, which consolidated all potential leaks in one place, allowing them to respond more quickly to new threats.
Google has decided to discontinue the Dark Web Report feature, which launched in March 2023. Initially available only to Google One subscribers, the service was opened to everyone in 2024. Now, a year later, the company has decided to shut down the project: the feature will stop scanning the dark web on January 15, 2026, and all old reports will be deleted by February 16, 2026.
The tool allowed users to learn when their email address or other personal data had appeared on the dark web. Google regularly scanned underground forums and websites, then notified users where exactly their data had been discovered and what information had been exposed. Following this notification, the company recommended that victims enable two-factor authentication to protect their accounts.
Experts explain that the company will now focus on other security tools that offer more specific and actionable recommendations. These include Google Password Manager and Password Checkup. The latter checks whether a user's passwords have appeared in known leaks and warns if a password has been compromised. Furthermore, the company emphasizes that it will continue to work on Security Checkup and Privacy Checkup, as well as develop support for Passkey and two-factor authentication.
Another tool the company is focusing on is Results About You . This feature allows users to search for personal information (such as a phone number or home address) and then request its removal from Google search results.
However, journalists from Bleeping Computer note that some users will miss the Dark Web Report, which consolidated all potential leaks in one place, allowing them to respond more quickly to new threats.