Google has sought to reassure its 2.5 billion Gmail users following a wave of misleading reports suggesting the platform was experiencing a widespread security breach. In a rare public clarification, the company stated on Monday that no broad warning had been issued and that claims of a significant Gmail security issue were “entirely false.”
“Several inaccurate claims surfaced recently that incorrectly stated that we issued a broad warning to all Gmail users about a major Gmail security issue. This is entirely false,” Google said in its statement.
The tech giant did not specify the exact source of the confusion but appeared to be responding to resurfaced media reports about a phishing campaign. That attack, which involved a compromised Salesforce instance used by Google, was first reported in June. Google later confirmed it had finished notifying affected users by August 8.
Ongoing Phishing Threats
While emphasizing that Gmail is not under a widespread threat, Google acknowledged that phishing attempts are an ongoing reality. “Phishers are always looking for ways to infiltrate inboxes, but our protections block more than 99.9% of phishing and malware attempts from ever reaching users,” the company said.
Security Recommendations for Users
Google also encouraged users to adopt stronger security practices, including enabling passkeys or other password alternatives, to further protect their accounts. The clarification underscores how quickly misinformation about cybersecurity can spread—and the challenges tech companies face in correcting the record. For Gmail users, the takeaway is clear: there is no new mass security threat, but vigilance and secure login habits remain critical.
