Google Apps. Image: Google sites
Google to start deleting inactive accounts
The simplest way to keep a Google Account active is to sign-in at least once every 2 years to ensure account data is not wiped out.
Google Apps. Image: Google sites
Tech giant Google has announced that it will start deleting accounts that have been inactive for two years. Google is updating it’s inactivity policy for Google Accounts as it aims to enhance account security.
Starting later this year, the tech giant may delete the account and its contents – including content within (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar), YouTube and Google Photos.
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INACTIVE ACCOUNTS ARE COMPROMISED
“If an account hasn’t been used for an extended period of time, it is more likely to be compromised. This is because forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven’t had two factor authentication set up, and receive fewer security checks by the user”, it says.
The update however only applies to personal Google Accounts, and will not affect accounts for organizations like schools or businesses.
Google has assured users that the process wont start immediately, but will only begin in December and will start with accounts that were created but never use. Then if an account has been opened and used, Google will send multiple notifications over the months leading up to deletion, to both the account email address and the recovery email (if one has been provided).
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PREVENT YOUR ACCOUNT FROM BEING ERASED
Google says the simplest way to keep a Google Account active is to sign-in at least once every 2 years to ensure account data is not wiped out.
Activity might include these types of actions you take when you sign in or while you’re signed in to your Google Account:
- Reading or sending an email
- Using Google Drive
- Watching a YouTube video
- Downloading an app on the Google Play Store
- Using Google Search
- Using Sign in with Google to sign in to a third-party app or service
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Users are able to decide what happens to their account and data when it becomes inactive for a period of up to 18 months via the Inactive Account Manager . Options users can select at enrollment include:
- Sending specific files to trusted contacts of their choosing,
- Applying a Gmail autoresponder, and
- Deleting their account entirely
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