Google has issued warnings to users about the imminent deletion of millions of Gmail accounts slated for December 1. The tech giant cites a major update to its services as the driving force behind this action, aiming to enhance security and reduce the risk associated with dormant accounts.
Google’s decision to delete inactive accounts stems from security concerns, asserting that these accounts, left untouched for an extended period (at least two years), are more susceptible to compromise or being at-risk. This policy change extends to various Google products, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and YouTube accounts.
“Google products reserve the right to delete your data when your account has not been used within that product for a 2-year period,” the company stated. This move is not applicable to school or business accounts but exclusively targets personal accounts. The initial focus will be on accounts that have never been used since their creation.
To mitigate the risk, Google plans to send multiple notifications to users via their Gmail accounts and recovery email addresses before proceeding with the deletion process. This proactive communication strategy is aimed at ensuring that users are well-informed about the impending action, giving them an opportunity to reactivate their accounts.
Google emphasizes that inactive accounts are less likely to have essential security features such as two-step verification, making them more vulnerable. Additionally, these accounts might be associated with outdated or reused passwords, further heightening the risk of unauthorized access.
The company provides a straightforward solution for users to keep their Google accounts active—sign in at least once every two years. Any recent activity, such as checking emails, watching YouTube videos, or downloading apps from the Google Play Store, will mark the account as active and exempt it from the deletion process.
To read Google’s complete inactive account policy, click here.
