Google is shutting down Google+ for consumers following a security breach.
A software bug was discovered that gave developers access to private profile data of over 500,000 users.
However, Google says that there is no evidence of developers being aware of this bug. There is also no evidence that any data has been misused.
The bug was discovered in March 2018. A report in the Wall Street Journal says Google did not disclose this information sooner because it feared regulatory scrutiny.
Google admits that Google+ has failed to achieve broad consumer or developer adoption since its introduction.
The company revealed that the usage and engagement of Google+ is even lower than some might have guessed, as 90 percent of user sessions lasted less than 5 seconds.
With that said, it’s not likely that Google+ will be sorely missed, although it’s certainly worth noting that it’s shutting down.
At one time Google put significant effort into pushing the adoption of Google+, including using its data to personalize search results based on what a user’s connections have +1’d.
It’s possible Google+ may have been shut down eventually, but it’s the security breach that forced Google’s hand.
During a security audit, Google discovered the following:
Google+ will shut down over a 10-month period, which is slated for completion by the end of next August.
More information will be available over the coming months, including ways that users can download and migrate their data.