Are you the owner of an old Gmail account that has been collecting virtual dust for over two years? It’s time to take action and ensure the safety of your account. Google, the internet giant, has recently announced a significant change to its “inactive” accounts policy, and the consequences are serious. Starting at the end of 2023, Google may delete Gmail, YouTube, and Google Photos accounts that have remained untouched for a minimum of two years. If you’re among those with an inactive account, this article will guide you on the necessary steps to protect your data and prevent any unwanted loss. Don’t wait until it’s too late – secure your unused Gmail account now!
“Starting later this year, if a Google Account has not been used or signed into for at least 2 years, we may delete the account and its contents—including content within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar), YouTube and Google Photos,” Ruth Kricheli, VP of Product Management at Google, said in an announcement recently.
According to Kricheli, this recent policy change by Google specifically targets personal accounts and does not extend to business accounts. The implementation of this policy will commence in December 2023, granting users a little over six months to take action if they wish to retain their accounts.
But why is Google making this change? The primary motive behind this initiative is to enhance security measures. Dormant accounts, those that remain unused for extended periods, often lack essential security features like multi-factor authentication. Multi-factor authentication, a tool introduced about a decade ago, offers robust protection against hackers. By encouraging users to log in and engage with their inactive accounts, Google aims to strengthen overall security and reduce potential vulnerabilities.
“Our internal analysis shows abandoned accounts are at least 10x less likely than active accounts to have 2-step-verification set up. Meaning, these accounts are often vulnerable, and once an account is compromised, it can be used for anything from identity theft to a vector for unwanted or even malicious content, like spam,” Kricheli explained.
Google will not permit others to claim account names that have been abandoned and subsequently deleted. While this might seem restrictive, it actually serves as a positive measure. For instance, if the account associated with the username John.Doe@gmail.com is deleted, it won’t become available for someone else to acquire. This safeguard prevents potential misuse or unauthorized access to previously owned accounts, ensuring the privacy and security of users’ personal information.
Google’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of deleted accounts reinforces their dedication to user protection and data privacy.
Stay tuned for more information in the upcoming months on this new Google account announcement.
