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Google+ set to be killed off earlier than expected due to another data leak

Two months ago, it was reported that Google had accidentally leaked the data of hundreds of thousands of Google+ users, all between 2015 and March of this year. There was a flaw in the Google+ API that allowed developers to see more than they should have. Because of this and due to low usage, Google announced that it would be shutting down the platform.

The firm has found another bug with its API though, and while it affected 52.5 million users this time, Google says that it was fixed within a week of it being introduced. The issue allowed apps using the API to see users' entire profile information, even if that profile was set to private. Fortunately, it wasn't anything too sensitive, as the exposed data didn't include financial information, passwords, and the like.

Google says that its systems weren't compromised, and it's not aware of any third parties that had access to the exposed data even knew about it. But with this in mind, the firm says that it's shutting down Google+ sooner than expected, in April rather than August.

Once again, the company says that it will continue to invest in Google+ for businesses. For consumers though, the platform will be gone this spring.

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