In a recent announcement, Google has made its dark web reporting feature available on most Google accounts in the United States. This service enables users to conduct one-off scans to determine if their Gmail address has been compromised in the shadier corners of the internet. The inclusion of this feature is part of a handful of updates revealed in Google’s latest Android feature drop, which appears to be relatively limited as the highly anticipated public release of Android 14 approaches later this year.
Users located in the US can access the dark web reports for free through the Google One website and app. By visiting one.google.com, individuals will find a “try now” option within the dark web scan section.
Previously, the reporting feature was exclusively available to subscribers of Google One, the cloud storage membership. However, even non-subscribers can still benefit from dark web scanning. Google One members now have the added advantage of automated monitoring of their online information and the ability to search for additional personal data such as social security numbers. Google has stated that the dark web reporting tool will gradually roll out to more than 20 additional countries in the coming months.
Among the other updates announced is enhanced functionality for smartwatches running older versions of Wear OS. Spotify’s DJ feature, which leverages AI to identify listening habits and suggest new songs, is being introduced on Wear OS version 2 and newer devices in the US, UK, Canada, and Ireland. Additionally, Google Wallet has been updated on Wear OS 2 to support SmarTrip and Clipper payment cards for public transportation, enabling commuters in Washington, DC, and the San Francisco Bay area to conveniently pay for rail, bus, and parking by tapping their smartwatch on a contactless receiver.
Moreover, Google has launched a new note-taking tile for Google Keep on Wear OS. This tile allows users to quickly access a single note or to-do list from their smartwatch. The new note tile is being rolled out today to Wear OS 3 and newer devices worldwide, and it is available in all supported languages.
With the public rollout of Android 14 expected in August 2023, it seems that Google is gradually slowing down its releases. Although the company provided minimal details about the upcoming operating system during the recent Google I/O keynote, Android 14 has already been in beta for some time, providing users with a glimpse of what to expect upon its official release.