Google has reaffirmed its intention to delete accounts that have remained inactive for a minimum of two years, as part of an effort to enhance security measures. While the account deletions won’t commence until December 1, Google is set to begin sending out alerts to users whose accounts are at risk. The company plans to issue multiple warning notifications, both to the affected Google accounts and any backup email addresses provided by the user. Those in danger of deletion will have an eight-month window before their accounts are permanently removed.
The policy, initially announced in May, aims to mitigate security risks. Google’s internal research has revealed that older accounts are more likely to have recycled passwords and are less likely to employ contemporary security practices like two-step verification. Consequently, these accounts are more susceptible to threats such as phishing, hacking, and spam.
The first wave of accounts slated for removal includes those that were created but never revisited by their users, according to Google’s May announcement. The company asserts that safeguarding user privacy and thwarting unauthorized access to accounts remains a priority, even for accounts that are no longer active.
Despite the stringent approach, Google has outlined a few exceptions to the policy. Accounts with associated YouTube channels, remaining balances on gift cards, those used for purchases of digital content like books or movies, and accounts associated with active apps on platforms such as the Google Play Store will be spared from deletion.
This new policy goes beyond Google’s previous stance. In 2020, the company declared that content on services that users had stopped using would be erased, but the accounts themselves would not be deleted.
Users can save their accounts by simply logging into their Google account or any Google service at least once every two years. Activities such as reading an email, watching a video, or conducting a single search will fulfill this requirement and prevent account removal.
As the deadline for account deletions approaches, Google emphasizes the importance of account activity as a means of ensuring account preservation and overall security.