Google glitch disables 150,000 Gmail accounts

Google is investigating a glitch in its email service, Gmail, which has caused over 150,000 users to lose all their messages, attachments and Google Chat logs.

Google explains that “less than 0.08%” of all Gmail users were affected by the bug, which completely reset accounts, even down to the detail offering a welcome message to those users when they first logged on today.

The company explained on its Apps Status Dashboard that “Google engineers are working to restore full access. Affected users may be temporarily unable to sign in while we repair their accounts.”

In an earlier message, Google wrote, “For those Gmail users reporting missing messages, our engineers are working to restore them as soon as possible.”
The latest status posted on the Google Apps dashboard on Google.com states:

“Google Mail service has already been restored for some users, and we expect a resolution for all users in the near future. Please note this time frame is an estimate and may change.”

There are some not-so-happy campers over on the Gmail Help Forum.

Comments including, "I have lost ALL my emails/folders etc from gmail. Why would this happen? How can I restore everything?" and "Everything from 6 years gone. Contact list is fine, but all communications have been deleted" flood the help page.

There are a few standard replies from Google Employee Gmail Specialists on the forum including, "We're looking into this issue right now. I know how important your messages are to you. Thanks for reporting on the forum."

A solution? There is an app in the Google Apps Marketplace called Gmail Backup, but the feedback on the app isn't all that positive – and it won't help you if your email is already one of those that is currently defunct.

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