Announcing Google One Dark Web Reporting Feature, Expanded VPN Access to Users on All Plans

Google One has launched a new dark web reporting feature for users in the United States. This feature will help customers monitor their personal information in the darker corners of the internet. The company has now extended VPN access through Google One to all plans. The service was previously only available to users on the 2TB Premium plan. Google recently rolled out support for its Magic Eraser feature and HDR effects for videos for Google One subscribers and older Pixel smartphones.

The tech giant on Wednesday introduced a new dark web reporting feature to all Google One members in the United States. It’s supposed to help a user scan the dark web for their personal information — like name, address, email address, phone number, and social security number — and notify them if a match is found. is found.

When the Dark Web Reporting feature is enabled, users enter and select the information they want to monitor in the monitoring profile. If any corresponding information is discovered on the dark web, the feature will warn the user and provide guidance on how to secure this information. Google notes, for example, that if they discover someone’s social security number on the dark web, they can advise the user to report it as stolen to the government or take steps to protect their credit information.

The dark web reporting feature on Google One
Photo credit: Google

In addition to results corresponding to users’ personal information on the monitoring profile, the dark web report will display other related information that can be found in security breaches and data leaks. Information contained in a user’s monitoring profile is handled in accordance with Google’s privacy policies, and users can delete or stop tracking at any time. The Dark Web Report will be available to members of all Google One plans in the US over the next few weeks.

Google is also extending VPN access to all members of Google One, including the basic plan, which starts at $1.99/month (around Rs.160), starting today and rolling out over the next few months. coming weeks, on Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac systems in 22 countries. Members can also share the VPN with up to five other Google One subscribers if included in the main Google One plan.

A VPN – or Virtual Private Network – acts as an additional layer of security, encrypting a user’s internet activity and protecting it from hackers and network operators (which may include the internet service provider, carrier or public Wi-Fi provider). It also hides the IP addresses of website and app users, which could also be used to track their activity over time or determine their location.