Google has announced that its “dark web report” feature will be discontinued starting February 16, 2026. The tool was launched about a year and a half ago with the goal of helping users monitor their personal information on the dark web.
For some, the dark web report was a valuable tool. It scanned various data breach dumps and alerted users if their personal information, such as email addresses, names, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers, was found in compromised databases. However, Google has decided to shut down the feature. On its support page, the company stated the decision was due to feedback suggesting the tool did not provide helpful next steps for users facing potential identity risks.
This sentiment was echoed by many users. Discussions on platforms like Reddit reflected a common frustration that the tool lacked actionable advice. As one commenter noted, it often felt like all users could do was change their passwords without clear guidance on which specific accounts or websites were affected.
In a statement, Google explained the change is part of a shift in focus. The company wrote that it is making this change to instead concentrate on tools that give users more clear, actionable steps to protect their information online. Google affirmed it will continue to track and defend users from online threats, including those on the dark web, and build tools that help protect personal information.
Google recommends several other protective measures in place of the dark web report. These include the Security Checkup, which reviews your Google account’s security; a built-in Password Manager for generating unique passwords; and Password Checkup, which sends alerts when your saved passwords have been compromised. The planned shutdown of the dark web report was first spotted by 9to5Google, which noted that users were alerted via email.
If you were using the dark web report feature, it is important to note that scanning for new dark web breaches will stop on January 16. The tool will be officially discontinued on February 16, and all related data will be deleted from Google’s servers.
Users who wish to take control of their data before the deadline can delete their monitoring profiles. To do this, go to “Results with your info,” select “Edit monitoring profile,” and then choose “Delete monitoring profile” at the bottom.