Sanmay Ved: The Guy Who Accidentally Bought Google-and Chose to Do the Right Thing
What would you do if you owned Google for a minute? Sanmay Ved found himself in that exact situation—and instead of cashing in, he chose honesty. This isn't merely a tale of a technical malfunction; it's an exemplary lesson in integrity.
Wait, Someone Actually Bought Google?
Sounds like a joke, right? Like one of those made-up internet stories. But nope—this actually happened. In 2015, a guy named Sanmay Ved, who used to work at Google, typed “google.com” into Google’s domain-buying tool… and it said available.
$12 later, boom—he owned Google.com. For real. At least for a little while.
So… Who Is Sanmay Ved Anyway?
From Mumbai Dreams to the Heart of Tech
Sanmay grew up in Mumbai, India—busy streets, buzzing city, the kind of place where ambition has its own heartbeat. He always loved tinkering with code, so computer science was the natural move. After school, he landed gigs at Amazon, then Google.
But even with all that under his belt, he probably never thought his name would be known around the world for something so… random.
The Wild Discovery That Changed Everything
One evening, while poking around on Google Domains (you know, just casually looking to buy a website for a project), Sanmay typed in “google.com”—kind of just messing around.
He probably laughed to himself, thinking: Let’s see what happens.
Well... it was for sale. Like, actually available.
So, for $12—less than lunch at Starbucks—he clicked “buy.” And it went through.
For about a minute, give or take, he was the listed owner of Google.com.
60 Seconds of Surreal Power
Now imagine that. One of the most visited websites on Earth—yours, even for just a moment.
Could he have redirected it? Sold it to the highest bidder? Broken the internet? Yeah, probably.
But here’s the thing: he didn’t do any of that. Not even close.
The Grown-Up Move: Reporting the Bug
Sanmay didn’t take screenshots for clout. He didn’t run to the media. He did what most people wouldn’t have: he reported it.
Google swiftly detected the issue and restored the domain. Crisis averted.
But the real story wasn’t the bug. It was how he handled it—with decency, maturity, and zero drama.
Google’s Response? Classy.
- $6,000 Bug Bounty: As part of their security reward program.
- Sanmay’s Choice: Instead of keeping the cash, he asked Google to donate it to charity.
- Google’s Move: They doubled it—$12,000 to the Art of Living India Foundation.
- Public Shoutout: They listed him in their official Security Hall of Fame.
No movie deals. No viral TikToks. Simply a commendable individual doing what's right.
Why This Story Still Hits Hard
He Could’ve Chosen Chaos—He Chose Character
These days, it feels like everyone’s out to go viral, cash in, or stir the pot. But Sanmay’s move? Quiet. Clean. Ethical.
And in a world that often celebrates noise, that silence says a lot.
A Reminder to the Tech World
Let’s be real: no system is perfect. Bugs happen. Mistakes slip through. Even Google isn’t bulletproof.
But this story shows why companies need people like Sanmay—people who find the cracks and fix them, instead of blowing them wide open.
So… Where Is He Now?
Sanmay didn’t ride off into the sunset. He’s still in the tech world, still working, still pushing for better bug bounty systems and transparency.
Not flashy. Not loud. Just quietly making things better.
Okay—Now Be Honest… What Would You Have Done?
This part’s on you.
If you typed in a random domain and it turned out to be Google, what would your next move be?
Would you screenshot it? Try to sell it? Go viral?
Or… would you do what Sanmay did?
Final Thoughts: Sometimes, The Right Choice Doesn’t Come With a Hashtag
Sanmay Ved didn’t set out to be a hero. He didn’t make a scene. But in just 60 seconds, he showed the world something rare: that you don’t need an audience to act with integrity.
In fact, that’s exactly when it matters most.
📢 Want to Spread a Little Good?
Share this story with someone who needs a little reminder:
Doing the right thing never goes out of style.