Google, the tech giant owned by billionaires Larry Page and Sergey Brin, has categorically denied rumors suggesting the shutdown of its popular email service, Gmail, affirming that “Gmail is here to stay.”
Responding to a viral hoax tweet circulating on social media platforms, Google reassured its 1.8 billion users worldwide that Gmail’s email functionality remains unaffected by any purported shutdown plans.
Contrary to the misleading claims, Google, under its parent company Alphabet, did not issue any official statements announcing the alleged “Gmail shutdown” through its website or press releases.
The viral hoax originated from a screenshot posted on social media platforms, falsely asserting Google’s intention to discontinue Gmail by the end of the year. The fabricated notice, titled “Why Gmail Is Sunsetting,” cited August 1, 2024, as the date until which users could access and download their emails.
This hoax emerged shortly after Google’s announcement regarding the suspension of its text-to-image AI tool, Gemini, due to concerns over misleading racial depictions in historical contexts. The misinformation surrounding the Gmail shutdown purportedly spread further when Chris Bakke, X Product Lead, humorously claimed responsibility for the mishap in a jesting post.
Despite the fabricated rumors, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, witnessed a notable increase in shares by over 1%, closing at $145.32 in Thursday’s market trade. Moreover, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, the billionaire founders, observed a surge in their net worth, with an addition of $1.18 billion and $2.49 billion, respectively, further consolidating their financial standings.
Since its inception in April 2004, Gmail has remained a dominant player in the email industry, competing with rivals like Yahoo and AOL. Last year, Google unveiled plans for the gradual phase-out of Gmail’s HTML version, aiming to enhance user experience with faster load times and improved connectivity, particularly advantageous for users with slower internet connections.
