Random, fake, and non-existent events were made by Google Calendar mobile, as they experienced an odd glitch in the application. As per the users who reported the bug, the events were made based on their Gmail content.
BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 03: In this photo illustration several apps of Google are displayed on a smartphone on March 3, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. The left-wing organizers of the event cited Google's profit-oriented mass collection of personal data about people as well as the gentrification locals fear will accelerate should the Google Campus open. Google is reportedly planning to open a Google Campus, which is meant to create a venue for startups and technological exchange, this summer in a building that once housed an electric relay station in the heart of Kreuzberg. (Photo by Carsten Koall/Getty Images)
Carsten Koall/Getty Images
(Photo : Carsten Koall/Getty Images) BERLIN, GERMANY - MARCH 03: In this photo illustration several apps of Google are displayed on a smartphone on March 3, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. The left-wing organizers of the event cited Google's profit-oriented mass collection of personal data about people as well as the gentrification locals fear will accelerate should the Google Campus open.
Random, Fake, & Non-Existent Events
Google Calendar experienced a bug that creates fake events based on users' Gmail content, like delivery notifications, purchase receipts, and newsletters. According to 9To5Google's report, no clear pattern was shown with this glitch.
However, a common event was created on several accounts titled "U.S. Financial Privacy Notice." This shows up as an all-day calendar event with a reminder notification on Android phones with the same title.
No clear cause on how the glitch started, as Google did release any statement. This is also not surprising because Google Calendar has enabled this feature ever since. During its launch, Google said that "Gmail can automatically create events that can be displayed on your calendar. These events will help you keep track of things like flights and other reservations."
Several users shared their frustrations on Twitter as they experienced the application to create random events.
Y’all, my @googlecalendar has started creating random events based on emails I’ve gotten … only it’s just like, random marketing content and newsletters.
Despite the issue having no definitive reason for why it happened, Phone Arena reported that there is a way to stop this from occurring. Users will only have to go to the settings of Google Calendar > tap the hamburger menu > scroll down to settings > tap on Events from Gmail > toggle off Show Events from Gmail.
For Google Calendar web, users have to open the site > tap on settings on the upper right side of the screen > click Settings And > scroll down to Events from Gmail > click the checkbox to remove the checkmark of Show Events Automatically Created by Gmail in my Calendar.
The only downside of this solution is that it will also stop users from receiving genuine calendar events created from messages such as flight information, hotel and restaurant reservations, and ticketed events like movies and concerts.
But The Verge reported that doing the same method will also keep users from spam invitations on your calendar, especially since Google Calendar users have always been affected by this matter.
Google Calendar recently removed Assistant Reminder from the app, as users will be alerted instead with "Reminders are now Tasks." The alert would dictate, "Use Tasks to get notified about your to-dos and keep track of them wherever you are in Google Workspace."
Because of this, Google transferred reminders to the new Tasks protocol. Aside from this, Google also removed the Reminders service from Google Assistant.
