Lockheimer said no, it wasn’t Google’s plan to tip off the press about the bug in 2018.

But his email suggests otherwise:

1. Ed needs to update the thread (ideally today) to notify Epic that we are going to make the bug public tomorrow now that it’s been 7 days since they fixed it.

2. Bug goes live tomorrow morning 9am PT

3. We tip off press about the bug and share our reactive statement and background points.

“We shared the bug with Android Central and worked with them today to shape a piece,” Google spokesperson Shannon Newberry replied later. “Great headline and conveys the points we wanted to convey.”

“Well done! Thank you,” replied Lockheimer.