Google Blogger locks out thousands of users after malware false positive

Google's Blogger platform experienced a widespread issue after its automated systems mistakenly labeled hundreds of sites as malicious due to a programming error. Initially, Google acknowledged the bug, which caused the false malware labels, and assured users that a fix was in progress. However, the situation escalated as some users reported that their blogs were not only locked but also potentially deleted.

A post on Google's forum garnered significant attention, with over 500 users expressing shared concerns. The warning displayed to affected users stated that their blogs were removed for violating Blogger's Community Guidelines, and they were offered the option to request a review. Google's statement confirmed the bug and estimated its impact to involve more than 200,000 users.

The company urged users not to create new blogs or migrate content, as this would violate Google's Terms of Service. Users were also cautioned against deleting their Blogger profiles or services, as this would lead to the permanent loss of their blogs. Backing up blog content was advised to prevent data loss. The exact number of affected sites remains unclear, but Google emphasized its commitment to resolving the issue promptly.