Google denies Gmail is shutting down after viral hoax

Google has quashed rumours circulating on social media that Gmail is shutting down, and has clarified that the widely shared information is a hoax. A viral post falsely claimed that Gmail would cease operations in August, amassing over seven million views. Google promptly debunked the misinformation on the same platform.

Experts are emphasizing the dangers of such misinformation and calling for improved tools to verify facts online. Richard Bagnall from Carma underscores the importance of addressing the issue of misinformation across all social media platforms.

X, formerly known as Twitter, is specifically criticized for its handling of misinformation. In 2023, the EU labeled X as a major spreader of falsehoods. Despite commitments to combat hate speech, X maintains a stance prioritizing free speech.

The BBC has sought comment from X regarding the recent Gmail hoax, which seems to have originated from a real email sent by Google in 2023. The genuine communication informed users about Gmail discontinuing access to its most basic HTML view, which was originally used when Gmail launched in 2004 but is now unrecognizable to most users.

The viral post falsely claiming the closure of Gmail reads, “After years of connecting millions worldwide, enabling seamless communication, and fostering countless connections, the journey of Gmail is coming to a close.”