History of Google data leaks and a complete timeline up to 2023
Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2024 10:41 am
Google data breach. This is what happens when you fail to keep up with the evolving needs of technology and hackers can pry open any loophole. It was certainly not easy for the giant to admit that there was a leak of sensitive user data. Such things can cause chaos in the world as the tech giant holds the information of millions of people. Almost half of the planet uses Google for one reason or another and trusts the platform to keep their data safe and secure. How could something so massive happen? Despite the leak, Google repeatedly covered it up; it did not disclose details about the possible damage that was done. At first, no one knew the real extent of the breach and how long it would take to fix it. People wondered if their information was safe due to Google’s data saudi arabia b2b leads
breach or if it was at risk. The giant refused to disclose details for fear of the backlash of the masses.
Contents hide
1 What really happened?
2 Reference information
3 Affected Profiles
4 Google Data Leak History and Complete Timeline Up to 2022
4.1 December 2018: Data of 52.5 million users compromised along with Google+
4.2 March 2018: Shock from 500,000 User Data Leak
4.3 November 2016: Gooligan malware strikes and compromises multiple Android devices
4.4 September 2015: BrainTest Bug Attacks Million Android Devices
4.5 September 14: 5 million Gmail passwords under suspicion
4.6 June to December 2009: When China Didn't Wait to Hack Google Servers
5 Google Privacy Breaches Over the Years
5.1 July 2020: Google's Lies About Privacy Protocols
5.2 April 2020: When Google Was Sued for $5 Billion
5.3 September 2019: $170 million fine for tech giant that failed to protect children's privacy
5.4 August 2018: Google tracked users without consent
5.5 Related publications:
What really happened?
In the world of technology, where data is constantly being transferred, the fear of data breach is not the main thing on our minds. But when it happens, it is the only thing on our minds. From March 2015 to March 2018, there were suspicious activities happening at Google without the tech giant’s knowledge. Third-party developers could access Google+ profile information due to a software flaw ; hence, anyone with a tech savvy could easily gain access through some weak cracks in the software; and that is exactly what happened. Google at some point realized what was happening and knew about the Google data breach, but they knew that if the news got out, the world would collapse. So, to protect their reputation, they circulated an internal memo warning employees to refrain from talking publicly about the said breach, which would have attracted interest from regulators and ultimately led to Google being compared to Facebook .
Reference information
When users use Google, they can grant permissions to access their profile data to Google and apps via an API. A big flaw in the system was that apps were granting access to profile fields that were visible to users but were not marked as public information. Google, in its defense , reiterated that the data in question was limited to “static, optional Google+ profile fields,” including users’ personal information such as name, email address , date of birth, gender, and job description. They also added that these fields do not display any Google-related information that is truly personal to the user, such as personal data such as messages, posts, phone numbers, passwords , G Suite content, etc.
Affected profiles
It was initially unclear who exactly was affected by the Google data breach, as the tech giant kept it under wraps, but the industry was shocked by the news and users were upset. API logs are only stored for two weeks, so the giant admitted that there was no way to confirm how many users were affected by the bug . However, the company assured that it had conducted a comprehensive analysis of the data to find out how much damage there was . For example, two weeks before attempting to fix the system error, Google said that more than 500,000 Google profiles may have been affected. In addition, Google also said that it did not know whether any third-party developers knew about the breach in the system and claims that it had not found any evidence that the data was misused.
History of Google data leaks and a complete timeline up to 2022
We can easily say that from 2015 to 2018, it was a rollercoaster ride for the tech giant as there were some bugs in its system that left millions of people very vulnerable. The latest Google data breach happened in 2018 when a bug exposed the sensitive information of many users. It was perhaps one of the biggest breaches ever recorded by the tech giant with around 52.5 million Google users affected. Also, it happened when Google was already going through critical times as it was already struggling with a data breach two months before the 2018 breach. So, in response to these breaches, Google took defensive measures and shut down Google+ in early April 2019. So far, Google has been on a smooth path and has overcome many obstacles, so we will not hear any news of more data breaches in 2022. The giant may have tightened its security protocols , but history has a way of coming back.
December 2018: 52.5 million users' data compromised along with Google+
Google+ plus has been a problem child for Google throughout this period. There were already speculations that Google was planning to get rid of the division after the first data leak . However, to the horror of the tech giant, the platform has once again become the cause of massive problems. The November Google+ update created an API error that resulted in the data leakage of 52.5 million Google+ accounts. However, the giant took proactive measures and made sure that the Google error related to the data leak was fixed as soon as possible. Within 6 days of the issue, the error was fixed. Moreover, at this stage, Google was already planning to bury Google+ in August 2019, however, the latest data leak was the final nail in the coffin. Google moved up the platform’s burial date and decided to put Google+ into sweet slumber in April 2019.
]
March 2018: Shock from 500,000 User Data Leak
One of the most mind-boggling things that ever happened to Google was that the system was vulnerable to third-party techies who knew how to find their way through the cracks. This meant that developers not affiliated with Google could access all of the private and sensitive data of Google+ users. This bug was discovered by Google in March 2018, which shook the earth. However, the tech giant has many brilliant technologists on staff who took proactive measures and quickly fixed the bug, blocking third-party developers from accessing users’ sensitive data. Moreover, the giant refused to talk about the issue, and also refused to fully disclose information to the affected users. With the reputational crisis that resulted from the Google data breach, it was important to maintain restraint.
An internal memo was circulated warning Google not to disclose the data breach as it would put the giant in the spotlight along with Facebook as the company was already in the crosshairs after the Cambridge Analytica scandal. However, not much can remain a secret on Wall Street, can it? The news finally broke when someone from the Wall Street Journal went to the media and reported everything that happened at Google. The scandal aired live in October 2018 and everyone was talking about it. However, in order to repair the damage, Google had to take certain measures to prevent users from panicking. They announced that they would be putting Google+ to sleep in August 2019. However, the giant took steps to bury it even earlier than the expected date of April 2019. This decision was a result of another security breach in Google+ that justified such measures.
November 2016: Gooligan malware strikes and compromises multiple Android devices
One evening in November, a cybersecurity company called Checkpoint came across another bug that was corrupting Google’s security systems. Googligan was a malware that infected thousands of Android devices, and it was reported that around 13,000 devices were at risk due to the Google data leak. Cybersecurity investigated the cause of such a catastrophic event: the bug entered Android devices due to phishing and downloading third-party apps through the android store. Thus, it became a big event for all users who store their information on digital platforms like Google. Please note that no device is completely immune to viruses or malware , so it is important to refrain from downloading apps from third-party stores. You should make sure that you learn everything about identifying and preventing phishing attacks to be sure that you can detect any kind of security breach before it is too late.
September 2015: BrainTest Bug Attacks Million Android Devices
Something unimaginable happened in the digital world of Google Inc. When little was known about security systems, an unidentifiable threat appeared and was not dealt with in a timely manner. Checkpoint employees came across an app called BrainTest, which managed to disguise itself as a legitimate app , but secretly infected millions of devices with stubborn malware . Moreover, this app was not a third-party one; instead, it was hosted on the Google Play Store, which made it even more legitimate - another example of Google data leakage. Using very sophisticated and at the same time very stealthy methods, the developers of the app made their way into the Google store. They managed to bypass all of Google's security measures and "bouncers" to upload an app designed to damage devices. When the app was discovered by a cybersecurity agency, Google put an end to i
breach or if it was at risk. The giant refused to disclose details for fear of the backlash of the masses.
Contents hide
1 What really happened?
2 Reference information
3 Affected Profiles
4 Google Data Leak History and Complete Timeline Up to 2022
4.1 December 2018: Data of 52.5 million users compromised along with Google+
4.2 March 2018: Shock from 500,000 User Data Leak
4.3 November 2016: Gooligan malware strikes and compromises multiple Android devices
4.4 September 2015: BrainTest Bug Attacks Million Android Devices
4.5 September 14: 5 million Gmail passwords under suspicion
4.6 June to December 2009: When China Didn't Wait to Hack Google Servers
5 Google Privacy Breaches Over the Years
5.1 July 2020: Google's Lies About Privacy Protocols
5.2 April 2020: When Google Was Sued for $5 Billion
5.3 September 2019: $170 million fine for tech giant that failed to protect children's privacy
5.4 August 2018: Google tracked users without consent
5.5 Related publications:
What really happened?
In the world of technology, where data is constantly being transferred, the fear of data breach is not the main thing on our minds. But when it happens, it is the only thing on our minds. From March 2015 to March 2018, there were suspicious activities happening at Google without the tech giant’s knowledge. Third-party developers could access Google+ profile information due to a software flaw ; hence, anyone with a tech savvy could easily gain access through some weak cracks in the software; and that is exactly what happened. Google at some point realized what was happening and knew about the Google data breach, but they knew that if the news got out, the world would collapse. So, to protect their reputation, they circulated an internal memo warning employees to refrain from talking publicly about the said breach, which would have attracted interest from regulators and ultimately led to Google being compared to Facebook .
Reference information
When users use Google, they can grant permissions to access their profile data to Google and apps via an API. A big flaw in the system was that apps were granting access to profile fields that were visible to users but were not marked as public information. Google, in its defense , reiterated that the data in question was limited to “static, optional Google+ profile fields,” including users’ personal information such as name, email address , date of birth, gender, and job description. They also added that these fields do not display any Google-related information that is truly personal to the user, such as personal data such as messages, posts, phone numbers, passwords , G Suite content, etc.
Affected profiles
It was initially unclear who exactly was affected by the Google data breach, as the tech giant kept it under wraps, but the industry was shocked by the news and users were upset. API logs are only stored for two weeks, so the giant admitted that there was no way to confirm how many users were affected by the bug . However, the company assured that it had conducted a comprehensive analysis of the data to find out how much damage there was . For example, two weeks before attempting to fix the system error, Google said that more than 500,000 Google profiles may have been affected. In addition, Google also said that it did not know whether any third-party developers knew about the breach in the system and claims that it had not found any evidence that the data was misused.
History of Google data leaks and a complete timeline up to 2022
We can easily say that from 2015 to 2018, it was a rollercoaster ride for the tech giant as there were some bugs in its system that left millions of people very vulnerable. The latest Google data breach happened in 2018 when a bug exposed the sensitive information of many users. It was perhaps one of the biggest breaches ever recorded by the tech giant with around 52.5 million Google users affected. Also, it happened when Google was already going through critical times as it was already struggling with a data breach two months before the 2018 breach. So, in response to these breaches, Google took defensive measures and shut down Google+ in early April 2019. So far, Google has been on a smooth path and has overcome many obstacles, so we will not hear any news of more data breaches in 2022. The giant may have tightened its security protocols , but history has a way of coming back.
December 2018: 52.5 million users' data compromised along with Google+
Google+ plus has been a problem child for Google throughout this period. There were already speculations that Google was planning to get rid of the division after the first data leak . However, to the horror of the tech giant, the platform has once again become the cause of massive problems. The November Google+ update created an API error that resulted in the data leakage of 52.5 million Google+ accounts. However, the giant took proactive measures and made sure that the Google error related to the data leak was fixed as soon as possible. Within 6 days of the issue, the error was fixed. Moreover, at this stage, Google was already planning to bury Google+ in August 2019, however, the latest data leak was the final nail in the coffin. Google moved up the platform’s burial date and decided to put Google+ into sweet slumber in April 2019.
]
March 2018: Shock from 500,000 User Data Leak
One of the most mind-boggling things that ever happened to Google was that the system was vulnerable to third-party techies who knew how to find their way through the cracks. This meant that developers not affiliated with Google could access all of the private and sensitive data of Google+ users. This bug was discovered by Google in March 2018, which shook the earth. However, the tech giant has many brilliant technologists on staff who took proactive measures and quickly fixed the bug, blocking third-party developers from accessing users’ sensitive data. Moreover, the giant refused to talk about the issue, and also refused to fully disclose information to the affected users. With the reputational crisis that resulted from the Google data breach, it was important to maintain restraint.
An internal memo was circulated warning Google not to disclose the data breach as it would put the giant in the spotlight along with Facebook as the company was already in the crosshairs after the Cambridge Analytica scandal. However, not much can remain a secret on Wall Street, can it? The news finally broke when someone from the Wall Street Journal went to the media and reported everything that happened at Google. The scandal aired live in October 2018 and everyone was talking about it. However, in order to repair the damage, Google had to take certain measures to prevent users from panicking. They announced that they would be putting Google+ to sleep in August 2019. However, the giant took steps to bury it even earlier than the expected date of April 2019. This decision was a result of another security breach in Google+ that justified such measures.
November 2016: Gooligan malware strikes and compromises multiple Android devices
One evening in November, a cybersecurity company called Checkpoint came across another bug that was corrupting Google’s security systems. Googligan was a malware that infected thousands of Android devices, and it was reported that around 13,000 devices were at risk due to the Google data leak. Cybersecurity investigated the cause of such a catastrophic event: the bug entered Android devices due to phishing and downloading third-party apps through the android store. Thus, it became a big event for all users who store their information on digital platforms like Google. Please note that no device is completely immune to viruses or malware , so it is important to refrain from downloading apps from third-party stores. You should make sure that you learn everything about identifying and preventing phishing attacks to be sure that you can detect any kind of security breach before it is too late.
September 2015: BrainTest Bug Attacks Million Android Devices
Something unimaginable happened in the digital world of Google Inc. When little was known about security systems, an unidentifiable threat appeared and was not dealt with in a timely manner. Checkpoint employees came across an app called BrainTest, which managed to disguise itself as a legitimate app , but secretly infected millions of devices with stubborn malware . Moreover, this app was not a third-party one; instead, it was hosted on the Google Play Store, which made it even more legitimate - another example of Google data leakage. Using very sophisticated and at the same time very stealthy methods, the developers of the app made their way into the Google store. They managed to bypass all of Google's security measures and "bouncers" to upload an app designed to damage devices. When the app was discovered by a cybersecurity agency, Google put an end to i