Google is shutting down a tool that nudged you about data leaks
Google is shutting down its dark web report feature, a tool that alerted users when their personal information appeared in data breaches. The company says feedback showed it lacked clear, actionable guidance, and it plans to focus on stronger...
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Google is shutting down a feature that many people used to check whether their personal information had ended up in data breaches. The company has confirmed that its dark web report tool will stop scanning for new leaks in mid-January and will be fully discontinued on February 16, 2026. The feature was designed to alert users if details like their email address, phone number, name, or other personal data appeared in known dark web breach dumps, but Google now says it did not go far enough in helping people act on those alerts.
The dark web report launched about a year and a half ago and quickly gained attention because it promised visibility into a part of the internet most people cannot access themselves. Users could set up a monitoring profile and receive notifications if their information showed up in compromised databases.
Why Google is pulling the plug on dark web report
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Google says the decision comes down to usefulness. Feedback showed that while the tool could flag potential data exposure, it rarely explained which specific services were affected or what meaningful steps users could take beyond simply changing passwords. Now, Google wants to focus on security tools that offer clearer and more actionable guidance. These include Security Checkup, Password Manager, Password Checkup, passkeys for account sign-ins, and other protections found in the Google Safety Center. The company is also encouraging users to rely on Results about you, which helps people find and request the removal of personal information like phone numbers and home addresses from Google Search results.
Users can delete their dark web monitoring profile at any time before the shutdown. To do this, go to the Dark web report while signed into your Google account, open ‘Results with your info’, select ‘Edit monitoring profile’, and choose Delete monitoring profile. As research continues to highlight how many people still rely on easy-to-guess passwords, Google has been rolling out changes that make account recovery less stressful and adding live threat detection features on Android to surface security risks in real time.
ChatGPT gets major update (GPT-5.2) as OpenAI battles Google in AI arms race
OpenAI's GPT-5.2 upgrade boosts real-world productivity just as Google escalates the competition with its latest Deep Research model.
OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5.2, the latest iteration of its flagship AI model series and its answer to Google's Gemini 3. The new model is meant to be faster, smarter, and more helpful for the complex, real-world queries with improvements in reasoning and long-document processing.
It is rolling out to ChatGPT's paid subscribers as part of the Plus, Pro, Team, and Enterprise tiers, and developers via API. OpenAI provides GPT-5.2 in three models: GPT-5.2 Instant, GPT-5.2 Thinking, and GPT-5.2 Pro (is it just me, or does the naming sound similar to that of the Gemini models?).
Gemini Nano Banana now turns your selfie into a full-body avatar for online try-ons
Google's upgraded AI try-on tool uses a single selfie to generate a realistic full-body avatar, making virtual clothes shopping faster, more personal, and far more accurate.
Google is updating its AI-powered visual try-on tool, and the best part is that you no longer need a full-body photo to use it. Thanks to the company's Nano Banana model (part of the Gemini 2.5 Flash Image suite), the tool can now turn a single selfie into a full-body digital avatar for trying on clothes, and it works across Google Search and Shopping.
All you need to do is upload a selfie and pick your usual size; Nano Banana will generate a handful of avatars. Using your face, the AI model generates the rest of your body while maintaining consistent proportions. Choose the one you think suits you best, and use the avatar to try on shirts, jackets, dresses, and more.
Microsoft makes theming your Windows 11 PC as easy as phones, but not as much fun
Windows 11 finally gets easier, with centralized theming, though the experience isn't quite as playful as what you get on phones.
There's a new Themes section in the Microsoft Store for Windows 11. It houses hundreds of curated themes, including wallpapers, theme colors, and other visual elements, that you can download and apply in a single click. The new Themes section aims to make personalization easier for users.
With users now accustomed to rich theming on smartphones and tablets, Microsoft had to address growing complaints that Windows PCs didn't offer the same level of customization (with the same level of ease). The new Themes section contains over 400 themes, "over 35 of which are new to the store."
