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Gmail is not shuttering, despite countless tweets claiming otherwise

Anyone else sick of X?

Asif Khan

February 22, 2024 3:05 PM

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Twitter, currently known as X, has become increasingly unreliable when it comes to breaking news and random trends. Today's latest misinformation tornado comes in the form of a rumor claiming that Google is shutting down the popular Gmail email service. This is not true, as it is the result of a series of jokes from people who paid for blue checkmarks on the social media platform.

this is insane. I hate this company pic.twitter.com/pXBRezPAyX

— Daniel (@growing_daniel) February 22, 2024

Community Notes have been applied to several viral tweets stating "Google is not sunsetting Gmail. This is a fabricated image posted as satire, but people in the comments are taking it seriously. The official Gmail website makes no mention of this; and no tech news website has covered anything regarding Google sunsetting Gmail."

I just got on a call with @sundarpichai and he confirmed, Gmail is done. pic.twitter.com/Lv7bkQ01jZ

— Sterling Crispin 🕊️ (@sterlingcrispin) February 22, 2024

It's rather amusing to see the "Xperts" on Twitter actually mention using a reliable source in this Community Note, as many users of the platform have an intense hatred and distrust of the so-called mainstream media. Other prominent tech bros like Chris Bakke reshared the joke image adding even more satirical claims causing a lot of readers to believe the rumor. A Community Note has also been applied to his tweet reading "This is a satirical post which is being quickly spread around and is confused by many believing it is real. It is not. Google has not announced any changes to Gmail."

You're an idiot if you think Gmail is shutting down.

— Douglas A. Boneparth (@dougboneparth) February 22, 2024

Even more users are spreading misinformation with obviously fake videos featuring Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Google has been the focus of a lot of jokes on Twitter in recent days with the company's latest Gemini AI effort launching in rough shape.

Gmail is here to stay.

— Gmail (@gmail) February 22, 2024

Twitter's prolonged slow-motion death spiral has certainly been something to witness, but times like this really highlight the dangers of social media platforms and the speed at which misinformation can be spread. Even if done in jest, things can go sideways faster than Community Notes can step in. Twitter users willing to pay for verification are able to amplify fake news, AI bots are running rampant, and the company's CTO Elon Musk spends more time posting stolen memes than doing anything to constructively address the platform's issues.

Asif Khan

CEO/EIC/EIEIO

Asif Khan is the CEO, EIC, and majority shareholder of Shacknews. He began his career in video game journalism as a freelancer in 2001 for Tendobox.com. Asif is a CPA and was formerly an investment adviser representative. After much success in his own personal investments, he retired from his day job in financial services and is currently focused on new private investments. His favorite PC game of all time is Duke Nukem 3D, and he is an unapologetic fan of most things Nintendo. Asif first frequented the Shack when it was sCary's Shugashack to find all things Quake. When he is not immersed in investments or gaming he is a purveyor of fine electronic music. Asif also has an irrational love of Cleveland sports.