Google will send multiple warnings before deleting old accounts in December 2023. The move is designed to prevent hackers from using inactive accounts to send scam emails. [2]

Figure 1. Google.

Figure 1 shows Google. The new policy takes effect in December, at which point Google may purge inactive accounts that apply. “We will take a phased approach, starting with accounts that were created and never used again,” the company added. [2]

The search giant is now expanding the potential deletion from content to the full account to crack down on hackers misusing Google services for phishing schemes. As the company notes, unused Google accounts tend to be easy to break into because they’ve often been secured with old, easy-to-guess passwords. [2]

“Our internal analysis shows abandoned accounts are at least 10x less likely than active accounts to have 2-step verification set up. Meaning, these accounts are often vulnerable, and once an account is compromised, it can be used for anything from identity theft to a vector for unwanted or even malicious content, like spam.” Google said in the blog post. [1]

Google may delete the account and its contents – including content within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar), YouTube and Google Photos. [1]

To prevent catching consumers off guard, the company will send affected users “multiple notifications over the months leading up to deletion, to both the account email address and the recovery email.” [2]

The policy also only applies to personal Google accounts, and will not affect accounts for organizations like schools or businesses. [1]

“The simplest way to keep a Google Account active is to sign-in at least once every 2 years. If you have signed into your Google Account or any of our services recently, your account is considered active and will not be deleted,” Google said in the blog post. [1]

References:

1. https://www.blog.google/technology/safety-security/updating-our-inactive-account-policies/
2. https://www.pcmag.com/news/warning-google-to-delete-accounts-that-have-been-inactive-for-2-years

Cite this article:

Hana M (2023), Google Accounts are to be Deleted if Inactive for 2 Years or More, AnaTechmaz, pp.138