A single typo locked Chromebook users out of their laptops

Google is apparently learning a hard lesson about the importance of precise writing. Android Police Google reports that Google pulled out a briefly available Chrome OS update that interrupted Chromebook users’ connections, apparently due to a simple typo. The company appears to have added a second “&” to a line of code, preventing the operating system from decrypting login information and effectively locking updated users out of their systems.

The issue not only prevented some users from logging in, but also started bootstrap loops (where the system keeps restarting). At least one system required a recovery USB drive to return to a working state. While Chrome OS thrives on cloud sync, some people still lost important files.

Google has identified the problem and is expected to deliver a corrected update today (July 21). Still, it’s unclear how such a noticeable defect slipped through the testing process. If nothing else, it’s a reminder of how important backups are – all it takes is one buggy update to create mayhem, whether you’re using a Chromebook or any other device.