Google recently faced a significant backlash following a major glitch in Google Chrome that led to the disappearance of passwords for around 15 million Windows users. This incident, which occurred between July 24 and 25, disrupted various sectors, including healthcare institutions, airlines, and banks.

According to a Forbes report, the disruption was caused by a “change in product behavior” within Google Chrome, particularly affecting the Google Password Manager. This tool, which over three million users depend on to store and autofill their passwords, was impacted by an issue in the M127 version of the Chrome browser on Windows. This glitch rendered previously saved passwords inaccessible and prevented the saving of new ones.

For approximately 18 hours, users affected by this glitch were unable to access their stored passwords, causing widespread inconvenience. Google recommended a temporary workaround using a command-line flag to bypass the problem. Ultimately, the issue was resolved after Google released a fix, advising users to restart their browsers to restore full functionality.

In an official statement, Google apologized for the disruption, saying, “We apologize for the inconvenience this service disruption or outage may have caused.”

This incident has raised concerns about the reliability of online password managers. Many individuals rely on these tools for various activities, including work, healthcare, education, and entertainment. The recent glitch highlights the potential risks associated with solely relying on digital password storage solutions. Experts recommend that users maintain backup plans and exercise caution with sensitive information stored online.

In the wake of the recent Crowdstrike update issue, which affected numerous businesses worldwide, this latest incident underscores the vulnerabilities present in our increasingly digital lives.