SAN FRANCISCO, Thursday, July 12, 2024 – Google this week announced it would offer access to “Dark Web reports” to all Google Account holders starting in late July.
Previously, this feature was exclusive to paid Google One subscribers.
Dark Web reports utilize Google’s technology to scan parts of the web typically difficult to access through conventional search engines. These reports can alert users if their personal information, such as email address, phone number, or social security number, has potentially been exposed in data breaches or leaks found on the dark web.
This expansion comes after Google One, the company’s premium storage and subscription service, launched Dark Web reports in late 2023. While the specific functionalities available to free users remain unclear, Google hinted at limitations compared to paid subscriptions. Features like constant monitoring and notifications for information beyond email addresses might be reserved for Google One subscribers.
According to Google Blog post starting June 20, 2024, VPN by Google One will be discontinued, but Pixel 7 users can continue to use VPN functionality through a system update that enables VPN by Google. This built-in VPN will be available for Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a, and Fold.
Beginning in late July 2024, the dark web report feature will no longer require a Google One membership and will be available to all users signed into their Google Accounts.
This feature helps monitor if personal information appears in data breaches on the dark web. It is available in 46 countries and will be integrated with the Results about you feature, which allows users to remove personal contact info from search results.
To use dark web report, users can set up a monitoring profile to receive alerts if their information is found on the dark web. This profile can be managed or deleted via the dark web report dashboard.
It said;
“Dark web report will become available to all users with a consumer Google Account. Dark web report is integrated with Results about you as a combined solution to help users protect their online presence.
Results about you is a feature that helps you find out if your personal contact info, like your home address, phone number, or email address shows up in search results.
Starting late July 2024, dark web report will no longer require a Google One membership. All users signed into their Google Accounts can use the feature as it’s made available along with Results about you,” Google’s Blog says.
