Google has just updated its policy on inactive Google Accounts to protect users from “security threats, like spam, phishing scams, and account hijacking.”
The company explains that accounts that have been inactive for two years or more often use old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised and are less likely to have two-factor authentication.
Inactive Google Accounts
The policy change takes effect starting May 16, 2023 but it was clarified that the company will begin deleting accounts starting December 2023. Additionally, multiple notifications will be sent to the inactive accounts over the months leading to the deletion so the deletion won’t be out of the blue.
Google also mentioned that it will start with accounts that were created and never used again.
If you want to avoid the deletion, sign in to your account at least once every 2 years and then do these types of actions:
- Read or send an email
- Use Google Drive
- Watch a YouTube video
- Download an app on the Google Play Store
- Use Google Search
- Use Sign in with Google to sign in to a third-party app or service
The policy only applies to personal Google Accounts though and won’t include school or business accounts. Additionally, if you have YouTube videos uploaded, your account won’t be deleted.
In addition to these steps, you might want to set up your two-factor authentication for your accounts just to be safe.
If you have accounts you don’t plan on using or wouldn’t mind if it gets deleted, don’t forget to back up your files.
Ram found his love and appreciation for writing in 2015 having started in the gaming and esports sphere for GG Network. He would then transition to focus more on the world of tech which has also began his journey into learning more about this world. That said though, he still has the mentality of "as long as it works" for his personal gadgets.
