Google will stop the Dark Web Reporting feature starting February 2026

Google announced that it will stop the 'dark web reporting' feature starting February 16, 2026. In fact, this tool was only launched about a year and a half ago.

Initially, this feature was launched to help users monitor their personal information on the dark web. For some users, this tool is considered valuable because it can scan a variety of leaked data.

This feature will provide an alert if personal information such as email addresses, names, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers are found in a hacked database. However, Google's support page indicates that the shutdown of this feature is based on user feedback.

The feedback shows that the feature 'does not provide a useful next step' for those who face potential identity risks. This is evidenced by user comments in the Reddit discussion space.

Comments criticized the tool for not offering advice that was truly actionable. One commenter on Reddit highlighted users who could only change their passwords.

There is no clear guidance on which accounts or websites they should focus on. Google explained that this change was made to shift the focus to developing more effective tools in the future.

English:

"We're making this change to focus more on tools that provide clearer, actionable steps to protect your information online," Google said, quoted on Tuesday, December 16.

Instead, Google will recommend users with a series of other protection tools that are already available. These tools include 'Security Checkup' to review the security of Google accounts and the built-in 'Password Manager'.

In addition, there is a 'Password Checkup' feature that sends a warning when a stored password has been misused. Google promises to continue tracking and protecting users from online threats, including those from the dark web.