"As Google admits in the email alert, its dark web scans didn't offer much help. "Feedback showed that it did not provide helpful next steps," Google said of the service. Here's the full text of the email. With other types of personal data alerts provided by the company, it has the power to do something. For example, you can have Google remove pages from search that list your personal data."
"The shutdown begins on January 15, when Google will stop conducting new scans for user data on the dark web. Past data will no longer be available as of February 16, 2026. Google says it will delete all past reports at that time. However, users can remove their monitoring profile earlier in the account settings. This change does not impact any of Google's other privacy reports."
"This change does not impact any of Google's other privacy reports. The good news is that the best ways to protect your personal data from being shuffled around the dark web are the same ones that keep you safe on the open web. Google suggests always using two-step verification, and tools like Passkeys and Google's password checkup can ensure you don't accidentally reuse a compromised password. Stay safe out there."
Google acknowledged that its dark web scanning service often failed to provide helpful next steps and offered limited assistance because Google does not operate on the dark web. The service will stop conducting new scans on January 15, and all past dark-web reports will be deleted and made unavailable on February 16, 2026. Users may remove their monitoring profile earlier via account settings. The change does not affect Google's other privacy reports. Google recommends protective measures such as two-step verification, Passkeys, and the password checkup tool to avoid password reuse and reduce the risk of personal data appearing on the dark web.
Read at Ars Technica
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