Google is shutting down one of their security features called the Dark Web Report. The tool will stop working by the first quarter of 2026. Google made a quiet announcement about it – they decided the tool is no longer needed. Here’s why they made this decision and what’s next.
What was Google’s dark web report?
Google launched the Dark Web Report about a year and a half ago. It was an opt-in tool for monitoring personal data leaks. The service scanned hidden parts of the internet.
It looked for your personal information in data breach dumps. It checked for things like your email, name, and phone number. Even scanned for Social Security numbers.
The goal was to alert you if your data was found. You would get a report showing what information was compromised. This could be a scary but useful alert.
Why is Google shutting its dark web monitoring tool down?
The official reason for pulling the plug on this service comes from user feedback. Google says the tool successfully found exposed data. However, it failed at the next crucial step.
Users reported it “didn’t provide helpful next steps.” Finding out that your data is circulating on the dark web can be frightening, so knowing exactly what steps to take next helps you quickly contain the damage and regain control.
However, the tool didn’t offer users a clear guidance on what to do with the report they’ve received. For a clear, actionable guide on responding to such a discovery, see our article on what to do if your information is found on the dark web.
Many people who have used Google’s dark web report tool echoed this same frustration on online forums like Reddit. A lack of actionable advice was one of the complaints seen very often. Users felt they were only told to “change passwords” without specifics.
Google explained its decision on a support page. The company stated it wants to focus on more actionable tools. They aim to provide clearer steps for protection.
Timeline and what you can do
The shutdown will happen in two phases. You should mark these dates if you use the service.
- On January 15, 2026, Google stopped checking for new dark web breaches. Your report won’t get any new updates after that.
- Then, on February 16, 2026, the Dark Web Report tool disappeared for good. Google will erase all user data tied to this service from their servers.
If you want your data gone sooner, you can delete it yourself—you don’t have to wait for Google. You can remove your profile ahead of time. Here is how to do it proactively:
- On your computer, go to the Dark Web Report page.
- You’ll see “Results with your info;” under it click on Edit monitoring profile.
- At the bottom, click Delete monitoring profile, then confirm by clicking Delete.
Once you delete your profile, you will lose access to your report immediately.
Managing other personal data is also key to your online privacy. For instance, you can further control your digital footprint by learning how to delete your Google search history.
What to use instead
Google is steering users toward its other security tools. The company says these offer clearer, actionable protection steps. They recommend starting with the Security Checkup. This reviews your Google account’s security settings, making it a good starting point for everyone.
For managing passwords, just try using Google Password Manager; it’s already there. It can generate and store strong, unique passwords. The related Password Checkup feature alerts you when hackers compromise one of your saved passwords. Not only Google’s Password Manager, all quality password manager out there offer such features.
Google also emphasizes using passkeys for login. Passkeys are more secure than traditional passwords. They help prevent phishing attacks. The company assures users it will continue tracking dark web threats. They plan to build new tools that help protect personal information more effectively. Have you ever used Google’s Dark Web Report? What was your experience with it?
