Google's Dark Web Tool: A Short-Lived Experiment

Google is saying goodbye to its dark web report feature. Starting February 16, 2026, this tool will no longer be available. It was introduced about a year and a half ago to help users keep an eye on their personal information on the dark web. The tool scanned data breach dumps and alerted users if their personal details, like email addresses, names, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers, were found in compromised databases. However, many users felt it didn't provide clear next steps to address potential identity risks. Google decided to shut it down based on user feedback. The company acknowledged that the tool didn't offer actionable advice. Users often felt stuck, only knowing to change their passwords without guidance on which accounts were affected.Google plans to focus on other tools that provide clearer, more actionable steps to protect online information. They mentioned continuing to track and defend against online threats, including those from the dark web. Instead of the dark web report, Google recommends using other protective measures. These include the "Security Checkup" for reviewing account security, a built-in "Password Manager" for generating unique passwords, and "Password Checkup" for alerting users about compromised passwords. Users were notified via email about the shutdown. Scanning for new dark web breaches will stop on January 16, and the tool will be officially discontinued on February 16. All related data will be deleted from Google's servers. Users who want to take control of their data before the deadline can delete their profiles. They can do this by going to "Results with your info, " selecting "Edit monitoring profile, " and choosing "Delete monitoring profile" at the bottom.