Google Proposing Wide-Scale Dark Web Surveillance Access for General Public
Google's Shadowy Switcheroo: Dark Web Monitoring on the Rise
In an unexpected twist, everyone's favorite tech titan, Google, has just thrown a curveball. The beloved Big G has pulled the plug on its paid-for VPN service, but not without offering a tasty substitute: Dark Web monitoring for all consumer Google Account holders. Think of it as Google's way of saying, "Sure, you ain't got no VPN, but let's keep an eye on those shady corners of the internet for you."
Google officially shuttered the doors on VPN by Google One on June 20, nudging users towards Google's latest gadget offerings, such as the Pixel 7, Pixel Fold, or Pixel 8 phones boasting built-in VPNs, or Google Fi Wireless plans with virtual private network options. If you log into your Google One app, you'll find a bemusing notification stating that "Dark web report will no longer be available on Google One starting late July."
At first glance, one might assume another Google service is on its way out the door. However, the company's related help article sheds a different light on the situation: "Dark web reports will become available to ALL users with a consumer Google Account." Quick minds over at 9to5Google were the first to spot this shift in Google One's services.
By the end of the month, Mountain View's finest plans to merge Dark Web monitoring with Google’s Results About You page. This feature will alert users if their sensitive information—such as their name, address, or phone number—poses a risk in search results. In the past, old Google assured us that it aimed to excise personal info from search results, though it lacked the power to actively zap that info off third-party web pages. Now, with Dark Web monitoring on the horizon, users of all stripes— paying or not—can reap the benefits.
For those who previously held only a free Google account, look forward to peace of mind knowing that the new integration will allow you to monitor not just your email address, but additional pertinent information as well. What's more, regular updates will let you know if Google uncovers any creepy corners on the Dark Web harboring your personal data.
Alas, don't get carried away with visions of your personal details being magically zapped from the Dark Web. The new Dark Web monitoring service can't erase information that's already been pilfered via data breaches. However, it'll send alerts if it detects sensitive data like your name, address, Social Security number, or those pesky passwords kicking around. It's then up to you to follow up by updating passwords or freezing your credit, should you stumble upon any problems.
All in all, Google's Dark Web monitoring moves suggest that privacy features aren't quite ready to vanish like yesterday's cookies. As Google continues to hack away at paid services, features like Dark Web monitoring seem to be hanging on by the skin of their onions. If you're all about privacy, it might be worth considering alternative web-rummaging tools, like Consumer Reports' Permission Slip app, over fancy, paid-for Dark Web monitoring services like DeleteMe. But hey, if you're just here for a little slice of peace of mind and don't mind a few false positives, Google's got your back.
Insights:
Dark Web monitoring services are systems that scan the shadows of the internet to identify leaked or stolen sensitive information. These services are designed to scan in real-time millions of sites on the Dark Web and send alerts when they detect exposed data. While they can't actively remove the data, they allow users to take immediate action to secure their accounts. Google's new Dark Web monitoring feature for consumer accounts will likely focus on protecting users' data from Dark Web threats by emphasizing early detection and response.
- Google is replacing its discontinued VPN service with Dark Web monitoring for all consumer Google Account holders, effectively offering a new layer of internet security.
- Google plans to integrate Dark Web monitoring with its Results About You page, providing users with alerts if their sensitive information like name, address, or phone number is at risk in search results.
- Users with free Google accounts will now be able to monitor not only their email addresses but also other pertinent information on the Dark Web with the new integration.
- Although Google's Dark Web monitoring service can't erase already stolen data, it will send alerts about sensitive information like names, addresses, Social Security numbers, or passwords that have been found.
