On Thursday 26 September 2024 11:44:08 BST Dale wrote:
> Michael wrote:
> > On Thursday 26 September 2024 08:28:47 BST Dale wrote:
> >> ssmtp stopped working with a conventional password when Google
> >> introduced 2-
> > 
> > Step-Verification for their GMail account.  Consequently, to be able to
> > continue using ssmtp you need to set up an 'App Password' and use the 16-
> > 
> > character password generated by Google to login:
> >  https://support.google.com/mail/answer/185833
> > 
> > It used to be the case you could set up an 'App Password' without having
> > to
> > provide them with your phone number and other 'none-of-their-business'
> > personal information, but for some years now they have been asking for
> > more
> > information to allow you to complete setting up 'App Password' for your
> > Google account(s) and device(s).
> 
> I also tried the 16 character password method too.  It still didn't work. 

In this case the ssmtp package has outlived its usefulness.  It was always 
limited in what characters it would accept and parse as a password.  It's 
abandonware since 2019 - debian recommends to use msmtp:

https://wiki.debian.org/sSMTP