A purported hoax statement released by Google on Thursday sent the internet into a panic, claiming the search giant would be shutting down its ubiquitous Gmail service.
“Google is discontinuing Gmail,” says the fake news release, which was allegedly posted on X to the service’s 1.8 billion users around the world.
“After years of connecting millions of people around the world, enabling seamless communication, and fostering countless connections, Gmail’s journey is coming to an end,” the fake statement read. is written.
The statement, featuring the company’s logo, comes hours after Google announced it would pause the release of its text-to-image AI tool Gemini following an outcry over the software rendering factually and historically inaccurate images. It was announced later.
The notice also mentions a date of August 1, 2024, by which Gmail users “can access and download all their emails.”
“After this date, you will no longer be able to access your Gmail account.”
This hoax quickly spread on X, but users were quick to point out that it wasn’t true.
However, the letter may have been written by “notorious terrorist poster” Chris Bakke.
The self-proclaimed technology entrepreneur wrote to X: “I’m the VP of Product at Google (TC $28.8M). Last night, Sander asked me to fire the entire Gemini team.” I misread his message (the service at my 7 bedroom 11 bath cabin in Park City was so bad) and he accidentally fired his entire Gmail team. Gmail…Gemini. Watch this right away, without glasses, when you’re seven margaritas deep at the fire pit on Wednesday. If you do you will make the same mistake. I mean, you can understand how confusing that is, right? Anyway, I accept that decision. Gmail is gone. ”
Mr. Bakke once used a Photoshopped news article about McDonald’s Hamburger to poke fun at a New York Times profile of convicted Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes.” Insider reported.
Gmail is the world’s most popular email platform. Its user base is 1.8 billion people, equivalent to one-fifth of the world’s population.
But Google’s critics have long argued that the company violates users’ privacy by scanning their messages and targeting ads tailored to their specifications.
Google stopped scanning emails to personalize ads in 2017. In 2020, the company stopped showing shopping ads in Gmail.
The Post has reached out to Google for comment.
