Google Chrome bug causes password disappearance for millions of users
The digital world is grappling with the fallout from a new crisis following the recent Microsoft outage that disrupted numerous businesses globally. Google introduced a bug in Google Chrome that temporarily caused the passwords of approximately 15 million Windows users worldwide to vanish.
The 18-hour password disappearance
The issue, which affected Chrome web browser users, resulted in passwords disappearing for 18 hours on July 24 and 25. Users were left unable to access any passwords saved using the Chrome password manager, and newly saved passwords were also invisible.
Google attributed the problem to “a change in product behavior without proper feature guard,” drawing parallels to a similar disruption experienced by CrowdStrike. The bug specifically impacted the M127 version of Chrome Browser on the Windows platform.
Google issues apology and fix
While the exact number of affected users is unknown, it is estimated that millions were impacted, given that over 3 billion people use the Chrome web browser, with the majority being Windows users. Google has since resolved the issue and apologized to users, stating, “We apologize for the inconvenience this service disruption/outage may have caused.”
To address the problem, users needed to restart their browsers if they encountered the glitch again after the fix was implemented.
Concerns about over-reliance on online password managers
This incident highlights the risks associated with relying too heavily on online password managers. Although browser-based solutions offer convenience, storing all your passwords in a single manager can be risky. A technical glitch, such as this one, can disrupt access to crucial information.
Millions of Google users depend on the Chrome password manager for saving passwords related to various services, including work, healthcare, childcare, education, and government sites. However, this incident underscores the importance of having a backup system for password management to prevent similar disruptions in the future.