False! Google only upgrading HTML feature, not “sunsetting” Gmail

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Cole Praise

Claim: Google plans to sunset Gmail by August 2024.

Verdict: False. The circulated memo is a hoax. Credible news outlets familiar with the development report that Google is only letting go of its older Gmail HTML version and upgrading users to the standard version.

Full Text

Google Mail (Gmail), an electronic mail application developed by Google, is a widely used medium that accounts for over 121 billion emails sent daily worldwide.

Perhaps this is why an X user, Daniel (@growing_daniel), was concerned over a memo that suggested that Google would halt offering electronic message services via the app currently utilised by 1.8 million users across the globe.

Part of the memo reads: “As of August 1, 2024, Gmail will officially be sunsetted, marking the end of the service. This means that as of this date, Gmail will no longer support sending, receiving or storing emails.”

False! Google only upgrading HTML feature, not “sunsetting” Gmail — *Screenshot of the memo*

Consequently, the post spiked many engagements, including 1,900 comments, 3,200 retreats, and 10,000 likes, as of Thursday, Feb. 23, 2024.

Many people in the comment section were shocked at the news, while a few expressed doubts.

“I’ve been a customer for 14 years, and now this…”Rick Branson (@rbranson) lamented.

“What is this?” Audrey Horne (@credenzaclear2) queried.

Due to many users’ concerns, DUBAWA decided to verify it.

Verification

DUBAWA checked the story of that development on Google News but found nothing corroborating that.

We also came across a recent article by TechCrunch referring to the circulating memo as a “hoax.” The technology information media outlet explained that Google has not halted Gmail’s messaging services to customers, but only the older version of its basic Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) view.

According to TechCrunch, the basic HTML version permits users to see message contents in their “bare-bones” outlook.

TechCrunch also mentioned Google’s support page informing Gmail users of its decision to “transition users” from the basic HTML view to its most recent version, the standard view, beginning in January 2024.

Furthermore, it quotes Hacker News informing of Google’s intention to get the basic HTML view, replaced by their modern successors ten years ago, “disabled.” According to the publication, the older version does not have full Gmail feature functionality.

The Verge, another technology reporting outfit, had reported sometime in Sept. 2023 that Google would discontinue using the basic HTML view and switch to a “far more modern standard view.”

The Verge also reports that despite a majority utilisation of the standard version, HTML also has its perks, including its ability to load quickly and be used on outdated devices or slower network connections, which explains why people still use it.

The Verge corroborates TechCrunch, acknowledging the HTML version as lacking in functionality, including having no chat, no spell checker, no ability to add or export contacts, and no support for rich-format text. It has no special keyboard shortcuts, nor does it allow email aliases.

Also, Gmail recently tweeted that they are “here to stay.”

Conclusion

The claim is false. Credible news outlets report that Google is not halting its electric message app, Gmail, but upgrading its basic HTML view to the standard view. Gmail also assured users that their platform was still available.