Google to Delete Inactive Accounts: What You Need to Know

Google has announced that it will begin deleting inactive accounts and their contents, including photos, calendar entries, emails, contacts, and Drive documents, starting from December 1. The company's updated account policy aims to protect users from security threats such as spam, phishing scams, and account hijacking. Inactive accounts are more likely to be compromised due to old or reused passwords, lack of two-factor authentication, and fewer security checks. Compromised accounts can be used for identity theft or to spread unwanted or malicious content.

The deletion process will begin with accounts that have not been used or signed into for at least two years. However, this policy only applies to personal Google accounts and does not impact school or business-managed accounts. Google will also exempt accounts with uploaded YouTube videos or active subscriptions to apps or news services. Affected users will receive multiple notifications before their accounts are deleted.

To prevent account deletion, users should sign in at least once every two years and engage in activities such as reading or sending emails, downloading apps from the Google Play store, or using third-party apps or services that require Google authentication. Google Takeout offers a tool for users to download and export their account data outside of Google. This allows users to back up their data or switch to other services such as Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive.

Google's updated policy also addresses the management of inactive accounts in case of death. Immediate family members can work with Google to close the account or obtain some account content on a case-by-case basis without sharing login credentials. To ensure timely communication, users are advised to provide and update a recovery email for their accounts.

The account deletion process is part of Google's efforts to enhance security and protect user data. By removing inactive accounts, the company aims to minimize the risk of security breaches and ensure a safer online experience for its users.