Google to Shut Down Dark Web Report Feature in January 2026

Do you know how many people were using Google's dark web report tool? This news will only impact those that did. Beginning in January of 2026, the dark web report feature will no longer be tracked by Google and likely millions of users won't even be aware until it's removed from their accounts.

What Is The Dark Web Report?​

Google's dark web report feature monitored the dark web for checking user's email address using the internet for criminal purposes (like identity theft). When the report was generated, Google would send out a notification that included the user's email address and information related to the email address related to that report being listed as being for sale on the dark web.

I personally appreciated this service. I loved having the reassurance that if an email address was found in a dark web report, I could contact the authorities for assistance to further protect my identity. It helps to stop anyone who might be trying to use my identity for illegal reasons.

I also found myself frequently asking the question, "What now?". That's because I believe that if it happens to you and you don't have the right resources and information, there's not much you can do about it either.

When Will Google Stop Tracking Email Addresses on The Dark Web?​

Here are some key dates to remember:

• January 2026 – Google will end all tracking of the dark web

• February 2026 – Google will no longer provide the tracking report or maintain historical records of email addresses that have been tracked using this feature

Reason To Stop​

Google is discontinuing the Dark Web Report because many people did not know how to use the reporting functionality. While the tool identified security vulnerabilities with your Google Account, it did not provide an easy way to remediate those vulnerabilities. So, Google is now focusing on developing simpler security solutions that will help users better protect their Google Accounts.

How Do You Protect Your Account?​

If you're wondering, "How do I protect myself?" Here are three things that will help:

• Enable Two-Step Verification for your Google Account
• Create strong, unique passwords for each website
• Use Google's security checkup frequently

While the Dark Web Report is going away, it is still up to you to keep your data safe. Being vigilant on the Internet is far more important than any single security tool, right?