Wind of panic for millions of Gmail users around the world. Thursday February 22, 2024, somewhat alarming information has circulated on the social network, formerly known as Twitter. It all started with a publication from an Internet user, a certain Daniel, who shared a screenshot of an email he received from Google… announcing the permanent closure of the Gmail messaging service. “After years of connecting millions of people around the world, enabling seamless communication, and encouraging countless connections, Gmail’s journey is coming to an end.”we can read in what appears to be a very realistic press release from the American giant.
According to this announcement, Gmail would cease to exist “from August 1, 2024”which means that the service “would no longer support sending, receiving and storing emails” from this date. Enough to panic the many users of Google messaging, particularly widespread in businesses, but also among individuals. And inevitably, the rumor quickly gained momentum. In all, more than 7.7 million people saw the tweet of this famous Daniel.
“Gmail is here to stay”, assures Google
Less than three hours after the wave of reactions sparked by this statement, Google spoke out to deny this mood. Let everyone be reassured: “Gmail is here to stay”, says the official X account of the messaging service. But why was the company forced to intervene to set the record straight? Well, if this fake news was taken so seriously by Internet users, it’s because Google is well known for deleting its services in spades! As the site “Killed by Google” indicates, there are no less than 293 projects that were abandoned by the firm over the last few years: from Google Hangouts, the instant messaging service, to Google Podcasts, via the Google+ social network…
Also, if the announcement of the imminent closure of Gmail was widely considered to be true, it is because the service has indeed undergone a change this year : since January 1, 2024, the simplified HTML version no longer exists. It is therefore no longer possible for users of poorly performing devices, or incompatible web browsers, to use this simplified display of Gmail. Furthermore, in May 2023, Google sent an email explaining that all accounts inactive for at least two years would be deactivated. Obviously, with all these announcements, it is difficult not to fall into the trap of fake news.