Google is shutting down Google+, the long-dormant consumer arm of its social network, for good. (Adweek)
The move comes after Google exposed the private data of hundreds of thousands of Google+ users and then opted not to disclose the issue this past spring, in part because of fears that doing so would draw regulatory scrutiny and cause reputational damage, according to people briefed on the incident and documents reviewed. (WSJ)
The bug allowed developers to access personal data from the connections of people who had installed their app, even if those people didn’t give permission for their information to be accessed. Upon discovering the bug, Google patched it, but opted not to disclose it to the public. (Mashable)
In announcing the closure, Google acknowledged that Google+ failed to gain significant traction with consumers. “The consumer version of Google+ currently has low usage and engagement: 90 percent of Google+ user sessions are less than five seconds,” the company said in a statement. (Variety)