Clean Up, Google Will Delete Inactive Gmail Accounts

iwanrj.com – Jakarta – Google announced that it will implement a new policy, which will delete inactive Gmail accounts, with the aim of increasing security and optimizing storage space. Eraser will be applied later this year.

Google will be doing a “clean up” starting this year on old Gmail accounts that haven’t been used or been inactive for at least two years will be deleted.

This update applies to personal Google accounts and doesn’t cover accounts managed by businesses or schools. However, for Gmail accounts connected to videos on YouTube, they will not be deleted.

READ ALSO:

Users Have Time To Move Important Data

The removal process will begin in December 2023 at the earliest, and Google plans to take a phased approach, starting with a Gmail account that is created but never used.

To ensure users have sufficient information, multiple notifications will be sent to the account email address and recovery email, if provided, in the months prior to deletion.

This prudent approach aims to give users sufficient time to take action or retrieve important data before their accounts are permanently deleted.

To keep the account active, users need to log in periodically or perform basic actions such as reading or sending email, and using Google Drive.

In addition, users must also frequently watch videos on YouTube, download applications from the Play Store, perform searches on Google, or sign in to third-party applications or services using “Sign in with Google”. Using a signed-in Android device is also considered activity, according to Google.

Google’s policy of removing Gmail accounts is not the first to be implemented. Previously, Google Photos had a separate usage and login policy for two years to ensure that the account was considered active. Accounts with active subscriptions in the Play Store, such as Google One or third-party apps, are also considered active.

The main motivation behind this change is to strengthen security. Inactive accounts, especially those using old or reused passwords, are more susceptible to abuse.

Google’s internal analysis shows that abandoned accounts are up to 10 times less likely to have two-step verification than active accounts.

By removing inactive accounts, Google wants to reduce the risk of identity theft, spam and the spread of harmful content. In addition, this approach helps to limit the unused retention of personal information, in line with industry standards.

It should be noted that Google will not delete Gmail addresses for reuse when the account is deleted, which differentiates its policy from other services.

READ ALSO:

Google advises users to set a recovery email address and suggests using the “Inactive Account Manager” to decide the appropriate course of action when an account becomes inactive.

Options available through this tool include sending files to trusted contacts, setting up a Gmail autoresponder, or starting the account deletion process.

By taking advantage of these features, users can manage their accounts wisely and maintain the security and privacy of their personal data. [HBS]