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Google has announced an update to its inactive account policy, revealing that it will delete Google Accounts that have been dormant for a minimum of two years. The rationale behind this move is that long-unused accounts are more susceptible to compromise due to outdated, less secure passwords and the absence of two-factor authentication.
Moving forward, Google reserves the right to delete any account and its associated content if it remains unused or unaccessed for a period of two years or more. This policy encompasses various Google services, including Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Meet, Calendar, YouTube, and Google Photos.
It’s important to note that this policy applies exclusively to personal Google Accounts, exempting accounts created for business and educational purposes. Starting in December 2023, users with inactive accounts will witness the deletion process, but Google assures that ample notice will be given beforehand.
Initially, accounts that were created but never utilized will be the primary targets for deletion. Google will send multiple notifications to both the account’s primary email address and the designated recovery email (if provided).
To prevent an account from being purged, Google advises users to log in at least once every two years. Any recent sign-ins or activity within an account or Google service will classify it as active and shield it from deletion.
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Engaging in various activities can help maintain account activity status, such as reading or sending emails, using Google Drive, watching YouTube videos, downloading apps from Google Play, conducting searches via Google Search, having an active subscription through a Google Account, or utilizing “Sign in with Google.”
Previously, in 2020, Google had declared its intention to erase content from unused accounts while retaining the accounts themselves. However, the company’s current plan involves deleting inactive accounts altogether, signifying a significant shift in their approach.
