Friday, October 10, 2025
  • Who’sWho Africa AWARDS
  • About TimeAfrica Magazine
  • Contact Us
Time Africa Magazine
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
  • News
  • World News
    • US
    • UAE
    • Europe
    • UK
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Russia-Ukraine
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Column
  • Interviews
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
Time Africa Magazine
  • Home
  • Magazine
  • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
  • News
  • World News
    • US
    • UAE
    • Europe
    • UK
    • Israel-Hamas
    • Russia-Ukraine
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Lifestyle
  • Sports
  • Column
  • Interviews
  • Special Report
No Result
View All Result
Time Africa Magazine
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
  • News
  • Magazine
  • World News

Home » Special Report » Google denies Gmail is shutting down after viral hoax

Google denies Gmail is shutting down after viral hoax

February 26, 2024
in Special Report
0
540
SHARES
4.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Google has clarified that Gmail is not shutting down, debunking rumors circulated on social media. The rumors followed backlash over Google’s AI image tool, Gemini. Tech experts clarified that Gmail discontinued its HTML-only version in January 2024, but the standard @gmail service will continue normally.

Clarifying the rumours that created havoc among users that Google is shutting down Gmail, the tech giant on Friday took to social media platform X to announce that Gmail is not going anywhere and “is here to stay”.

A purported screenshot of an email addressed to Gmail users from Google showed the company was “sunsetting Gmail” on August 1 this year. The email also claimed that after August, Gmail will no longer “support sending, receiving and storing emails”. The screenshot was shared thousands of times over social media platforms, with creators claiming the move came after Google faced backlash over its AI image tool, Gemini. The image tool was the focus of a controversy this week after it generated images of “racially-diverse” Nazi soldiers.

Google finally stepped in and put an end to the speculations. “Gmail is here to stay,” read its post on social media. Tech experts also took to social media to curb the rumours, adding that the company was shutting down the HTML version of Gmail this year and not the entire email service.

“Gmail discontinued the HTML-only version of its service, as of January of 2024. Standard @gmail works just fine. Stupid hoax,” said Marsha Collier, a tech educator.

ReadAlso

Gabon Seeks Fresh Investment to Unlock Untapped Oil & Gas

World Bank: ‘Mobile-Phone Technology Powers Saving Surge in Developing Economies’

Tech experts clarified that Gmail discontinued its HTML-only version in January 2024, which allows users to access their emails in low-network areas, but the standard @gmail service will continue to operate normally.

Experts warn of the dangers of misinformation, citing the incident as a prime example. Richard Bagnall from Carma emphasizes the need for better tools to verify facts online.

ADVERTISEMENT

While all social media platforms struggle with misinformation, X, formerly known as Twitter, faces particular criticism.

The EU labelled it as a major spreader of falsehoods in 2023. Despite vows to combat hate speech, X maintains a stance on protecting free speech.

The BBC has approached X for comment about this hoax, which appears to be based on a real email sent by Google in 2023. It notified people that Gmail would stop access to its most basic HTML view.

The original HTML view was used when Gmail launched in 2004 and would be unrecognisable to most people who use the service nowadays.

“We are reaching out to share an important update about Gmail,” the viral post reads.

“After years of connecting millions worldwide, enabling seamless communication, and fostering countless connections, the journey of Gmail is coming to a close.”

Gmail is the world’s most popular email service, with more than 1.5bn active users worldwide, according to Statista.

And despite emphatically rejecting the false claims in the hoax message, Google has indeed shut some services in recent years.

In 2023 alone, Google killed its Stadia gaming service, and its Snapchat-like YouTube Stories feature, and it began closing old and inactive Gmail accounts.

 

Tags: GeminiGmailGooglHTMLTechnology
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

BIAFRA: Bill To Grant Independence To Any Section Of Nigeria Seeking Self-determination Submitted

Next Post

Africa’s largest mosque inaugurated in Algeria

You MayAlso Like

Special Report

Faked or Factual: UNN Contradictory Claims on Minister Uche Nnaji Certificate Raise Questions of Credibility

October 5, 2025
Special Report

Certificate Scandal: University of Nigeria Declares Minister Uche Nnaji Never Graduated

October 4, 2025
Special Report

World leaders step up efforts behind the scenes at the UN to end the war in Sudan

September 27, 2025
Special Report

African Leaders Call for Bold, United Action to Tackle Global Health Crises, Sustain Malaria Progress

September 27, 2025
Special Report

Dangote vs. NUPENG: Is the Fuel Consumer the Real Casualty?

September 25, 2025
Special Report

Leaked Documents Reveal How Fr. Edwin Obiora Exploited Legal Instruments to Manipulate Late Msgr. Prof. John Bosco Akam

September 22, 2025
Next Post
The Great Mosque of Algiers, inaugurated on Sunday, features the world’s tallest minaret.

Africa’s largest mosque inaugurated in Algeria

Federal High Court Adjourns Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial as New Prosecutor Takes Charge

Discussion about this post

Kingdom in Crisis: Ogwashi-Uku Rejects Obi’s Land Grab, Villages Ready to Declare Autonomy

Faked or Factual: UNN Contradictory Claims on Minister Uche Nnaji Certificate Raise Questions of Credibility

Woman appointed Archbishop of Canterbury 

A Minister of Lies?: Uche Nnaji’s Certificate Scandal and the Collapse of Credibility in Nigerian Governance

Certificate Scandal: University of Nigeria Declares Minister Uche Nnaji Never Graduated

Nigeria’s Anglican Church Rescinds Ties with Canterbury Amid Controversy Over ‘Pro-Gay’ Female Archbishop

  • British government apologizes to Peter Obi, as hired impostors, master manipulators on rampage abroad

    1242 shares
    Share 497 Tweet 311
  • Maids trafficked and sold to wealthy Saudis on black market

    1067 shares
    Share 427 Tweet 267
  • Flight Attendant Sees Late Husband On Plane

    974 shares
    Share 390 Tweet 244
  • ‘Céline Dion Dead 2023’: Singer killed By Internet Death Hoax

    905 shares
    Share 362 Tweet 226
  • Crisis echoes, fears grow in Amechi Awkunanaw in Enugu State

    735 shares
    Share 294 Tweet 184
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

British government apologizes to Peter Obi, as hired impostors, master manipulators on rampage abroad

April 13, 2023

Maids trafficked and sold to wealthy Saudis on black market

December 27, 2022
Flight Attendant Sees Late Husband On Plane

Flight Attendant Sees Late Husband On Plane

September 22, 2023
‘Céline Dion Dead 2023’: Singer killed By Internet Death Hoax

‘Céline Dion Dead 2023’: Singer killed By Internet Death Hoax

March 21, 2023
Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu, wife of Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra state

NIGERIA: No, wife of Biafran warlord, Bianca Ojukwu lied – Ebele Obiano:

0

SOUTH AFRICA: TO LEAVE OR NOT TO LEAVE?

0
kelechi iheanacho

TOP SCORER: IHEANACHA

0
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

WHAT CAN’TBE TAKEN AWAY FROM JONATHAN

0

President Tinubu Pardons Herbert Macaulay, Vatsa, Lawan, Grants Clemency to 82 Inmates

October 9, 2025

National Council of State Unanimously Approves Appointment of Professor Amupitan as INEC Chairman

October 9, 2025

Central African Republic become 46th member of AFC

October 8, 2025

Next Steps for African Energy: APPO Must Choose a Visionary Leader to Secure Its Future

October 8, 2025

ABOUT US

Time Africa Magazine

TIMEAFRICA MAGAZINE is an African Magazine with a culture of excellence; a magazine without peer. Nearly a third of its readers hold advanced degrees and include novelists, … READ MORE >>

SECTIONS

  • Aviation
  • Column
  • Crime
  • Europe
  • Featured
  • Gallery
  • Health
  • Interviews
  • Israel-Hamas
  • Lifestyle
  • Magazine
  • Middle-East
  • News
  • Politics
  • Press Release
  • Russia-Ukraine
  • Science
  • Special Report
  • Sports
  • TV/Radio
  • UAE
  • UK
  • US
  • World News

Useful Links

  • AllAfrica
  • Channel Africa
  • El Khabar
  • The Guardian
  • Cairo Live
  • Le Republicain
  • Magazine: 9771144975608
  • Subscribe to TIMEAFRICA MAGAZINE biweekly news magazine

    Enjoy handpicked stories from around African continent,
    delivered anywhere in the world

    Subscribe

    • About TimeAfrica Magazine
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • WHO’SWHO AWARDS

    © 2025 TimeAfrica Magazine - All Right Reserved. TimeAfrica Magazine Ltd is published by Times Associates, registered Nigeria. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.

    No Result
    View All Result
    • WHO’SWHO AWARDS
    • Politics
    • Column
    • Interviews
    • Gallery
    • Lifestyle
    • Special Report
    • Sports
    • TV/Radio
    • Aviation
    • Health
    • Science
    • World News

    © 2025 TimeAfrica Magazine - All Right Reserved. TimeAfrica Magazine Ltd is published by Times Associates, registered Nigeria. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service.

    This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.