Hello there, Smart Learners! Welcome to another week of learning about the world of tech, AI, and cybersecurity, and how it affects you. If you liked this post, please leave a comment below telling us your viewpoint on it.
For many people, the idea of the dark web feels distant and abstract. Yet it plays a very real role in online crime, especially when personal information is stolen during data breaches and later sold or shared in hidden corners of the internet. In recent years, large technology companies have tried to help users stay informed and protected. One of those efforts was Google’s dark web report tool. Now, Google has announced that this feature will be shut down in early 2026, and it is important for families, professionals, and young internet users to understand what this means and how to stay safe moving forward.
Google confirmed that it will discontinue the dark web report tool in February 2026. Scans for new breaches will stop on January 15, 2026, and the tool itself will be fully removed on February 16, 2026. According to Google, the decision was based on user feedback. While the tool could alert people when their information appeared on the dark web, many users felt it did not provide clear or practical steps on what to do next. Google says it wants to focus instead on tools that help users take direct action to protect their online identities.
The dark web report tool was first introduced in March 2023 as part of Google One. Its goal was to help fight identity theft by scanning the dark web for stolen personal information. This included details such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses, and even Social Security numbers. When a match was found, users were notified so they could take steps to secure their accounts. In July 2024, Google made the tool available to all Google account holders, not just paid subscribers.
When the feature is officially retired, Google says it will delete all data connected to the dark web report. Users who prefer not to wait until February 2026 can also delete their monitoring profile manually. This can be done by visiting the dark web report page, selecting the option to edit the monitoring profile, and choosing to delete it. For parents and professionals who are cautious about data storage, this option offers peace of mind.
Although the shutdown may sound concerning at first, Google is encouraging users to focus on stronger and more effective security habits. One recommendation is to create a passkey, which offers phishing resistant multi factor authentication. Passkeys reduce the risk of stolen passwords and make it much harder for attackers to break into accounts. Google is also promoting its “Results about you” feature, which helps users find and remove personal information from Google Search results. These tools are designed to give people more control and clearer steps to protect their online presence.
For families and educators, this change is a good opportunity to talk about online safety in a simple and practical way. Kids should understand that once personal information is shared online, it can travel far beyond what we expect. Parents can use this moment to review privacy settings, update passwords, and explain why tools like passkeys are safer than traditional passwords. Professionals, especially those who manage sensitive data, should take this as a reminder to review their security practices and stay proactive.
The dark web will not disappear just because one tool is shutting down. However, awareness and good digital habits remain powerful defenses. Monitoring tools can help, but true protection comes from understanding risks and taking consistent action. Google’s decision highlights an important truth. Staying safe online is not about one feature or alert. It is about making smart choices every day.
Stay Smart. Stay Secure. Stay Cyber-Aware. Follow us on Instagram @smartteacheronline for practical, family-friendly cyber tips and weekly updates.