August 2, 2023: What is Google’s upcoming security update? What is the reason behind google deleting inactive accounts and why is it necessary? Is there a way to save your account? Keep reading to learn more!
Google recently announced a significant update to its inactive account policies. The tech giant will now delete Google accounts that have been unused or not signed into for at least two years. This change is aimed at enhancing user security and reducing risks associated with maintaining inactive accounts. Starting from December 2023, Google will begin the process of auto-deleting such accounts.
To prevent their accounts from being deleted, users are being notified about this update. Google will send warning emails, starting 8 months in advance, to alert users whose accounts are at risk. It's essential to note that all content stored in these inactive accounts, including Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar, YouTube, and Google Photos, will also be impacted by the deletion.
Google will implement a phased approach to delete inactive accounts, starting with those that were created but never used again. Before deleting an account, Google will send multiple notifications to the account email address and the recovery email (if provided) over several months to give users ample time to take action and prevent their accounts from being deleted.
Why is google targeting inactive accounts?
Google plans to enhance security by deleting accounts that have been inactive for two years. Abandoned accounts are more vulnerable to hacking as they are less likely to have two-factor authentication set up, making them easy to be used for identity theft.
Two-factor authentication- In addition to your username and password, you'll enter a code that Google will send you via text or voice message upon signing in.
By deleting these inactive accounts, Google aims to reduce the risk of such attacks. Forgotten or unattended accounts often use outdated or reused passwords, which may have been compromised and lack two-factor authentication, leaving them less protected.
It's important to note that this policy change will only affect personal Google Accounts and will not impact accounts for organizations like schools or businesses. The update aligns Google's policy with industry standards for preservation and account deletion, also limiting the preservation of unused personal information.
Fear not, you can still save your account and here’s how!
If you have a Google account that hasn't been used for a while and want to prevent it from being deleted, you can take a few simple steps. Firstly, log into the account that has been inactive for about two years. Then, engage in some activity within the account to keep it active. Here are a few actions you can take:
Start by reading or sending an email, use your Google Drive, watch a YouTube video, or download an app from the Google Play Store or perform a search using Google Search or use "Sign in with Google" to access a third-party app or service.
Additionally, even if you haven't used your Google Account for two years, it will not be deleted if you have an active subscription set up through that account.
