Google to Shut Down Dark Web Monitoring Feature by February 2026

Google will discontinue its Dark Web Report service in early 2026, ending consumer-facing alerts for exposed personal data and signaling a broader move toward preventive security tools.

Google has announced plans to shut down its dark web monitoring feature, known as the Dark Web Report, marking a major change in how the company approaches consumer cybersecurity. The service, which alerts users when their personal information appears in known dark web data breaches, will be fully discontinued by February 16, 2026.

The Dark Web Report was initially offered as part of Google One subscriptions before being made available to all Google account holders. It allowed users to monitor whether sensitive information such as email addresses, phone numbers, and other account identifiers had been exposed in databases linked to dark web breaches. The aim was to provide early warnings and encourage users to take protective action.

Timeline for the shutdown

Google has outlined a clear timeline for the service’s discontinuation:

January 15, 2026: Google will stop checking for new dark web breaches. February 16, 2026: The Dark Web Report will be completely shut down, and all existing monitoring data will be permanently deleted.

After this date, users will no longer be able to access previous reports or receive alerts about potential data exposure.

Why Google is discontinuing Dark Web Report

According to Google, the decision follows a reassessment of how effective the tool has been for everyday users. While the service successfully identified potential data exposure, many users were unsure how to respond after receiving alerts. In some cases, notifications caused anxiety, especially among users who lacked cybersecurity knowledge or clear guidance on how to reduce risk.

As a result, Google is pivoting away from post-breach notifications toward tools designed to prevent account compromise before it happens.

Google’s new cybersecurity focus

Google says it will prioritize preventive security features that offer more direct protection, including:

Passkeys as password alternatives Two-step verification (2SV) Password health checks Google Security Checkup tools

The company believes these measures are more effective than monitoring the dark web after personal data has already been leaked.

Impact on users in Africa and emerging markets

The change is particularly significant for users in Africa and other emerging markets, where incidents of data breaches, phishing attacks, and credential theft continue to rise. Many users rely on simple alerts to stay informed about online risks. With the removal of Google’s dark web monitoring feature, users may need to be more proactive about monitoring and securing their digital identities.

Data breaches and the dark web remain a threat

Google has emphasized that shutting down the Dark Web Report does not mean the dark web is disappearing or that cybercrime is declining. Stolen credentials and leaked personal information are still actively traded, and data breaches remain a global cybersecurity challenge. What is changing is Google’s role in presenting this information directly to users through a dedicated dashboard.

What users should do next

With the Dark Web Report going away, cybersecurity experts recommend strengthening personal security practices, including:

Using unique passwords for every service Enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible Adopting passkeys when supported Regularly reviewing account security settings

Users who want continued monitoring can also consider third-party breach notification services and password managers that offer exposure alerts.

A broader industry trend

Even after the shutdown, Google says it will continue monitoring cyber threats internally to improve its overall security infrastructure. The move reflects a wider industry trend in which technology companies are prioritizing prevention over notification, focusing on reducing harm rather than simply reporting breaches after they occur.

As cybersecurity threats evolve, users are being encouraged to take a more active role in protecting their online accounts—long before personal data ends up on the dark web.