Google will stop its dark web reports on January 15, 2026. The company will also destroy the information that it gathered on behalf of the users on February 16, 2026. This update terminates an option that was scanning personal data leakages and notifying individuals in case their contact number or other data appeared on the dark web.
Many users found the reports useful for spotting breaches. Google says the reports did not offer clear next steps. The company will now focus on tools that give users concrete ways to protect their accounts and passwords.
Shutdown and Dates
The dark web report will stop creating new matches on January 15, 2026. Google will remove all related data on February 16, 2026. Users who want to stop monitoring earlier should follow the removal steps that Google published.
Google first made the dark web report available to some subscribers in 2023 and expanded access later. The tool was part of a set of security features that aimed to help people find exposed data. The company now wants to concentrate on features such as Security Checkup and Google Password Manager.
What to do
Check your Google account security settings right away. Run Google Security Checkup and confirm that two-step verification is enabled. Use Google Password Manager to find and change any weak or repeated passwords. Look at the results about you page to see what personal details appear in Google Search and remove anything you do not want publicly visible.
For ongoing breach alerts, consider reputable monitoring services and the public breach database run by independent researchers. Keep a regular schedule for password updates. Use passkeys or strong two-step verification methods where possible. Back up important data in a secure location that you control.
Why Google Made This Change
Google said feedback showed that the report did not guide users on the next steps. The company will build tools that give clearer and more actionable guidance. Google also said it will continue to track and defend users from online threats. This includes maintaining broader security protections and developing new options that focus on remediation.
What the Shutdown Means for Users
Users who relied on the dark web report must switch to other methods of monitoring and protection. Thereafter, the report shall not find anything new after January 15, 2026. The data gathered will be unavailable after the 16th of February, 2026. Any information that people need should be exported before that date; otherwise, it will be lost.
Google recommends that users adopt stop gaps such as the Security Checkup. The company also encourages the use of strong authentication and the removal of personal information from public pages.
How to Check Your Account Now
Open your Google account settings. Check passwords that have been saved and update the passwords that are duplicated across sites. Turn on two-step verification and prefer passkeys where they are supported. Look at the results about you page to find and request the removal of personal contact details.
