Google’s dark web monitoring service will soon be free for all users

Illustration: The Verge Since last year, Google has monitored dark web leaks of stolen account information for Google One subscribers, such as phone numbers and physical addresses. But, starting later this month, Google’s dark web reports will be available to anyone with a Google account. According to a Google support page about the transition, the free service will be part of Google’s “results about you” page. This is where you can currently check for information Google has indexed that contains personal contact info like your home address, phone number, or email address and request it be removed so that it doesn’t surface in search results. Google says the move will create a “combined solution to help users protect their online presence.” Screenshot by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge Google One users, such as myself, are losing their dark web monitoring benefit — but a version is coming to every Google user for free. Of course, several services — both paid and free, like Have I Been Pwned? — will scan the dark web for your data and send you alerts. But, for Google users, combining the company’s two monitoring features into a single place to view potential personal information leaks makes sense. This does means that both perks added last spring for the more than 100 million paid-up Google One subscribers (which starts at $1.99 a month) have been removed. Last month, Google announced that the other addition, its VPN by Google One service, will shut down later this year. It’s unlikely these were the reasons anyone signed up for Google One in the first place, but it could be disheartening to see benefits disappear without a corresponding drop in price. The main reason to sign up for Google One is to get more storage for your Google account, including photos and Gmail storage. While there are other perks — including premium Google Meet video calling features, the ability to share your storage with up to five people, and enhanced appointment scheduling in Google Calendar — none are that compelling. Google’s Gemini-powered AI features might be something you’d consider paying for, but those require higher tiers of Google One, starting at $19.99 a month.