Did New Google+ Bug Impact User Data: Company Advances Service Closure Date to April 2019

Google+ could now be shut down as early as in the next 90 days as another bug impacting the Google+ Application Program Interface (API) was recently discovered prompting Google to resort to fast tracking the Google+ API maintenance mode program. If you are a Google+ user, there should potentially be no cause for worry as Google stated that there was no compromise resorted to by external forces as far as user data is concerned.

However, the search engine giant has stated that the Google+ API that was hit by the recent bug could have potentially impacted a whopping 52.5 million Google+ users. Nonetheless, there has been no data breach or privacy breach reported. Google has resolved the bug issue now; the error reportedly granted permission to applications requesting users’ details like email, and age. Apparently, developers of these apps did not get access to confidential data of users. This information was revealed by Google’s investigation into the “unsecure” API issue.

Hence, you could expect your Google+ accounts to go into the maintenance mode from April 2019. With time on hand as of now, you could very well resort to securing your data and transferring these to reliable channels; rather than retaining these within your Google+ accounts.

As far as enterprise is concerned, Google states that it would explicitly notify such customers in case breaches (if any) are identified for the enterprise scenario.

Earlier, in October 018, Google had announced that it would shut down Google+ due to a bug that reportedly allowed external developers control to access users’ private information of their Google+ accounts. The first date of shutdown was August 2019; with the newest bug discovered, the process has seemingly been advanced to April 2019.

“In addition, we have also decided to accelerate the sunsetting of consumer Google+ from August 2019 to April 2019. While we recognize there are implications for developers, we want to ensure the protection of our users,” stated David Thacker who is Vice-President of Product Management at G-Suite; in an official blog post.

Also Read: After Reports Of Data Being Compromised, Google Releases Statement Saying They Are Shutting Down Google+ For Consumers

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