Google is shutting down one of its newer security tools.
In an email sent out today, Google confirmed it’s discontinuing its dark web report, a feature designed to scan parts of the dark web for leaked personal information tied to your account.
Google says the tool will stop monitoring for new results on January 15, 2026, and the report itself will no longer be available after February 16, 2026. At that point, the company says “all related data will be removed.”
The dark web report originally launched in March 2023 as a perk for paid Google One subscribers in select countries, including Canada. The idea was to alert users if things like email addresses or other personal details appeared in known data leaks.
According to Google, feedback showed the feature wasn’t as helpful as intended. In its email, the company said the report provided general information, but “feedback showed that it did not provide helpful next steps.” Google says it’s making the change so it can focus on tools that offer clearer, more actionable ways to protect personal data.
Despite shutting the report down, Google says it’s still monitoring online threats. The company told users, “We will continue to track and defend you from online threats, including the dark web, and build tools that help protect you and your personal information.”
Users who don’t want to wait until next year can remove their monitoring profile early, according to Google. Otherwise, access to the report and its data will end automatically in February 2026.
In the meantime, Google is encouraging users to rely on other built-in security tools, including Security and Privacy Checkups, Passkeys, 2-Step Verification, Google Password Manager, and Password Checkup. Google also pointed to its “Results about you” feature, which lets users request the removal of personal details like phone numbers or home addresses from Google Search results.
Google closed the message by saying it will “continue to offer tips and tools to help you stay safe online,” even as this specific feature is phased out.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
Wait so what is more actionable here?
They’re removing something that they don’t offer elsewhere therefore there is in fact nothing more actionable replacing this at all