The Google+ data breach was not just a security failure; it was a deliberate cover-up. Google confirmed two massive API vulnerabilities that exposed the private data of approximately 52.5 million users. If you ever used Google Plus, your data was likely accessed.
This wasn’t just a breach. It was a cover-up followed by a disaster.
Google discovered the first vulnerability in March 2018 (affecting 500,000 users) but didn’t disclose it until October—seven months later. Then, just weeks after admitting the cover-up, a second vulnerability in November 2018 exposed 52.5 million more users, forcing them to shut the platform down permanently.
The Bottom Line
This guide explains exactly what happened, what specific data was exposed, and the 3 immediate steps you must take to prevent account compromise across your entire Google ecosystem.
The danger isn’t just what was stolen from Google+. It’s what that data unlocks across Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and every other Google service you use.
🧠 At-A-Glance: Breach Intelligence
| Detail | Information |
| Breach Date | March 2018 (Cover-up) & November 2018 (The Big One) |
| People Affected | 52.5 Million Users (Combined) |
| Data Exposed | Names, Email addresses, Occupations, Ages, Private Profile Data |
| Risk Level | HIGH (Ecosystem Risk) |
| The “Fix” | Google shut down Google+ entirely to stop the bleeding. |
What Happened? (Brief & Specific)
In March 2018, Google discovered a software bug in the Google+ People API that allowed third-party app developers to access private user data—information users had explicitly marked as “not public.”
Google fixed the API vulnerability but kept it secret for seven months, citing fears of regulatory scrutiny and comparisons to Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal.
When The Wall Street Journal obtained internal documents revealing the cover-up, Google was forced to disclose the breach publicly. Shortly after, they announced they would shut down Google+ entirely rather than face ongoing scrutiny.
What Data Was Stolen? (Exact Inventory)
Based on Google’s official disclosure, the API vulnerability exposed:
- Full Names
- Email Addresses
- Dates of Birth
- Occupation and Employment Information
- Profile Photos
- Gender
- Private Profile Information (data marked “not public” but still accessible via the API)
⚠️ The Danger: The presence of email addresses combined with private profile data enables targeted phishing. More critically, this API flaw suggests potential vulnerabilities across Google’s entire ecosystem.
What Google claims was NOT accessed: Google stated they had “no evidence” of abuse. However, the seven-month delay means they had no way to detect whether developers actually accessed this data or not.
Unlike other leaks, the Google+ data breach included private profile fields that users thought were hidden
Why This Breach Is Dangerous (Threat Mapping)
Most people don’t understand the real danger of the Google+ breach. It’s not about Google+—a failed social network nobody used. It’s about what it revealed: systemic API security problems across Google’s infrastructure.
Most people ignore the Google+ data breach because the social network is dead, but the API flaw was critical.
Here’s why this matters:
The “Content Silo” Problem
Unlike Facebook, which operates one primary platform, Google controls your entire digital life:
- Gmail: Your communication hub.
- Google Drive: Your documents and work files.
- Google Photos: Your memories.
- Android: Your physical location history.
When Google suffers an API vulnerability, attackers don’t just access one profile. They potentially access everything. This is what security researchers call the “single point of failure” problem.
Specific Attack Vectors
1.If They Stole Your Email Address:
Criminals can use your Gmail address for Password Reset Attacks. They attempt to reset passwords on your bank or Amazon accounts. If they can access your Gmail, they intercept the reset links and take over everything.
2.If They Stole Your Job History:
Attackers know where you work. They can impersonate executives or IT support from your company (Business Email Compromise). They combine leaked Google+ employment data with LinkedIn profiles to build complete dossiers.
3. If Private Profile Data Was Exposed:
This is the most concerning element. Data you explicitly marked as “private” (hidden photos, location history) was accessible. If the API exposed “private” data from Google+, what about private data in Drive or Photos?
Your Action Plan (Do This Now)
This is not optional. Follow these steps in order.
✅ Step 1: Check If You Were Affected
Unsure if you had a Google+ profile or if you were exposed?
👉 Use our [Breach Check Guide] to verify if your email was in the leak.
🔐 Step 2: Lock Down Your Entire Google Ecosystem
Since this was an API vulnerability affecting Google’s infrastructure, take these comprehensive actions:
1. Audit Your Google Account Activity (Priority #1)
Review what Google knows about you:
- Go to
myaccount.google.com - Click “Data & Privacy” -> “Third-party apps with account access”
- Action: Most people discover dozens of forgotten apps with full account access. Revoke them immediately.
2. Revoke Third-Party App Access
The Google+ breach happened through third-party apps accessing the API.
- Rule of Thumb: If you can’t remember granting access, revoke it. You can always re-authorize later.
3. Enable Advanced Protection (For High-Value Targets)
If you are a journalist, activist, or executive, enroll in the Google Advanced Protection Program. This requires physical security keys (like YubiKey) and blocks most third-party app access entirely.
“After switching to app-based 2FA, you may encounter issues like invalid codes after transfer — here’s how to fix them.”
4. Migrate Away from SMS-Based 2FA
If you’re still using SMS codes for Google account verification, switch immediately to Google Authenticator or a Security Key. SMS is the weakest link.
👉 [See Phase 2 of the PixelDefence Protocol for setup instructions]
⚠️ Step 3: Watch for Breach-Specific Scams
Expect these specific attack patterns:
- ❌ Fake Google Security Alerts: “Your Google Account will be deleted due to unusual activity.”
- ❌ Storage Scams: “Your storage is full. Upgrade now to avoid data loss.”
- The Tell: Google never asks you to verify your password via email and never threatens account deletion without multiple in-app warnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was this breach listed on Have I Been Pwned?
Yes, as “Google+ (2018).” However, only email addresses from confirmed exposures are listed. If you created a Google+ profile but your email doesn’t appear, you may still have been affected through the API vulnerability.
Will Google compensate victims?
No. Google offered no compensation. Their solution was to shut down Google+ entirely.
Why did Google hide this for 7 months?
Internal documents revealed that Google executives feared regulatory scrutiny and comparisons to Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal. They calculated that disclosure would trigger investigations, so they chose silence.
The Cover-Up Was Worse Than the Breach
Here’s what makes this incident particularly egregious:
- March 2018: Google discovers the API flaw.
- March-October 2018: Google says nothing while “assessing” the impact.
- October 2018: The Wall Street Journal leaks internal documents.
- October 2018: Google forced to disclose.
The Lesson: You cannot trust corporations to disclose breaches promptly. You must assume exposure and build defenses accordingly.
🛡️ Was your data exposed?
Don’t wait for the hackers to act. We have built a step-by-step protocol to lock down your finances and logins.
👉 [Start the PixelDefence Protocol Now]
📂 Related Breach Intelligence
Don’t stop here. If your data was in this breach, it is likely in these as well. Check your exposure status in our other Deep Dives:
- [The 50 Biggest Data Leaks in History]: See the full ranking of the most dangerous hacks by “Danger Score.”
- [National Public Data Breach (2.9 Billion Records)]: The massive 2024 leak that exposed the Social Security Numbers of nearly every US adult.
- [Equifax Data Breach Guide]: Why the 2017 “Forever Leak” is the reason you must freeze your credit today.
- [AT&T Call Log Disaster]: How hackers stole the phone records of 86 million customers (and what to do now that the settlement is closed).
- [Facebook Data Breach Guide]: How the “Scraping” leak exposed 533 million phone numbers to spammers.
- [Google+ Data Breach Cover-Up]: The twin API failures that forced Google to shut down its social network.