Google has denied recent reports claiming that Gmail has been affected by a significant security breach. The company issued a statement to reassure users, stating: “We want to reassure our users that Gmail’s protections are strong and effective. Several inaccurate claims have surfaced recently, incorrectly stating that we issued a broad warning to all Gmail users about a major security issue affecting Gmail. This is entirely false.”
The tech giant’s response comes after several online reports suggested Google had sent an emergency alert to its 2.5 billion Gmail users over a large-scale phishing attack. However, Google has dismissed these claims as misinformation, confirming that no new widespread warning has been issued.
Misinterpretation of the earlier phishing incident
While Google has not detailed the origin of these inaccurate reports, Forbes has linked the claims to a phishing attack involving a Salesforce instance used by Google. This incident was first reported in early June, and the company issued an update on 8 August confirming that all affected users had already been notified.
It is unclear why these earlier reports resurfaced or why they were presented as a new threat impacting all Gmail users. In its statement, Google emphasised the importance of accurate information, saying: “While it’s always the case that phishers are looking for ways to infiltrate inboxes, our protections continue to block more than 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts from reaching users. Conversation in this space must be accurate and factual.”
Advice for Gmail users
Google continues to encourage users to take proactive measures to safeguard their accounts. The company recommends adopting strong security practices, including the use of passkeys as a secure alternative to traditional passwords. This guidance reflects Google’s ongoing focus on reducing phishing risks and strengthening overall account security.
Despite ongoing phishing threats, Google maintains that Gmail’s defences remain highly effective, and no new widespread security warning has been issued.
