Google has issued a warning to its customers, informing them that it will initiate the deletion of inactive accounts on December 1st, 2023. The company will enforce this rule for accounts that have not been used or signed into for two years but will send multiple reminder emails to users before taking any action.
The easiest way to keep an account active is to log in at least once every two years or engage in various activities like reading emails, using Google Drive, downloading apps from the Play Store, and more.
The policy comes as part of Google’s efforts to safeguard user information and prevent unauthorized access, particularly for accounts that might have been compromised during extended periods of inactivity.
Google acknowledges that inactive accounts are less likely to have two-step verification set up, making them vulnerable to exploitation by threat actors for malicious purposes such as identity theft, spam, and phishing. To address this concern, the company urges users to maintain the security of their accounts and regularly update their passwords.
Despite the warning of deletion for inactive accounts, Google also provides options for users to preserve their data. The Google Takeout service allows users to download their data, ensuring they retain important information even if their accounts become inactive.
Additionally, Google offers the Inactive Account Manager feature, which enables users to plan what happens with their accounts over a specific period of inactivity, providing users with more control over their account’s fate. By implementing these measures, Google aims to protect user privacy and mitigate the risks associated with abandoned and vulnerable accounts.
