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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Google is ending its dark web report, with scans stopping Jan. 15, 2026.
- Google says it is shifting to tools with clearer, actionable guidance.
- Other dark web monitoring tools and scanners are still available.
Google is quietly discontinuing its dark web report, a feature of Google Accounts that allowed users to scan the dark web for the exposure of their personal data.
What is the dark web?
The dark web, also sometimes referred to as the deep web, is a section of the internet that is not indexed by most search engines, including Google, Bing, or Yahoo.
While we can find websites and online services by searching for them in the “clear” or surface web, .onion deep web resources are not indexed and may include resources that do not allow crawlers.
Also: The best data removal services of 2025: Delete yourself from the internet
A small subset of this area, the dark web, is typically associated with criminal marketplaces and illegal content. However, it’s important to note that the dark web also hosts tools and services for fighting censorship, whistleblower drop boxes, and media outlets whose websites are banned at the ISP level in surveillance-led countries.
In the illegal layer, you can find data dumps containing leaked PII and financial records for sale or download. According to recent NordVPN research, millions of stolen payment card details change hands there every day, and a card from the US is sold on average for only $11.51. Samples suggest that around 87% of stolen payment cards available for sale are valid for at least one year.
Google’s dark web report
As first reported by 9to5Google, Google is set to shut down its dark web report scanning feature, a tool made available to Google account holders only a few years ago.
The report connected to your Google email address and highlighted potential data and identity exposure by scanning dark web data dumps. This included whether or not your personally identifiable information (PII) — such as your email address, name, home address, date of birth, or Social Security number — was found on suspicious or malicious websites.
Also: How to remove your personal info from Google Search – it’s quick and easy
Google’s support page has confirmed the closure, of which some users were initially notified via email. Scans for new dark web data breaches will stop on Jan. 15, 2026, and by Feb.16, 2026, the report will no longer be accessible.
Google’s decision
Another product goes to the Google Graveyard.
The tech giant says that while the report did provide some general information that may have been useful to users, “feedback showed that it didn’t provide helpful next steps.”
“We’re making this change to instead focus on tools that give you more clear, actionable steps to protect your information online,” Google says. “We’ll continue to track and defend you from online threats, including the dark web, and build tools that help protect you and your personal information.”
Also: I found the easiest way to delete myself from the internet – and it’s fast
If you already use the service and want to delete your report ahead of time, go to the dark web report tool, click “Edit monitoring profile” under the “Results with your info” tab, and select “Delete your data.”
What should I do now?
There are a number of steps you can take now to improve your online privacy and security and stay aware of any dark web-related data exposures.
- Use Google’s other tools
Google recommends using security tools, including running a Security Checkup, creating passkeys to secure your account, and running a password checkup to improve your account security and see if you are using any credentials that have been included in a data breach.
Also: I’m ditching passwords for passkeys for one reason – and it’s not what you think
2. Have I Been Pwned
Have I Been Pwned is a valuable resource, provided free by security expert Troy Hunt, that lets you check whether your email address has been linked to a data breach. Simply type your email address into the Have I Been Pwned search bar to see if you have been involved in any data breaches — and the likelihood is that you have.
Also: Did your logins just get leaked? How to check online for free (and what to do next)
Keep in mind that you won’t be shown the exact data, such as a password and username combination, but it will give you an idea of what information may have been leaked, and when.
3. Use an alternative dark web monitor
Google hasn’t cornered the market when it comes to dark web monitoring or scanning — there are alternative services we recommend as useful privacy and security tools. Two of these, NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor and Surfshark Alert, will alert you when new, leaked credentials are found online, giving you the chance to act quickly. However, for both services, you will need to sign up for their VPNs.
You can also visit Norton for a basic check, but the free scan will not tell you where or what service. Other resources include Keeper and Malwarebytes.
4. Check your credit file
Another lesser-known way to monitor dark web data leaks is to check your credit report. Some companies, including Experian, now include dark web scans as part of their services. They may alert you to new leaks.
5. Check out a dark web resource yourself
We have provided a guide on how you can access the deep or dark web yourself if there’s a specific .onion website you want to check out. At the least, you will need a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to hand, and you will need to download the Tor browser. However, this won’t be suitable for most people.
It’s unfortunate, but everyone has leaked data. You may also find that some dark web scan results repeat, and others will relate to extremely old accounts. Still, if you have received an alert, you should change your credentials or consider deleting unused accounts entirely to stay safe. If you want to perform a general cleanup of your online information, we also recommend exploring data removal services.
Source: Networking - zdnet.com
