Personal Google Accounts That Have Been Inactive For 2 Years Will Be Deleted Starting 1 Dec

Google To Delete Personal Accounts That Have Been Inactive For 2 Years From 1 Dec

Earlier this year, Google announced an update to its inactivity policy, which included deleting personal inactive accounts.

The update takes place starting this Friday (1 Dec) for accounts that have remained inactive for at least two years.

As such, users who would like to keep such accounts active should log in as soon as possible to avoid losing them.

Google will begin deleting inactive accounts by 1 Dec

Back in May, Google revealed that it will begin deleting personal accounts that have been inactive for at least two years this December.

The deletion of accounts has been confirmed to begin on Friday (1 Dec) — two days from now.

Source: Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

In a blog post, Google attributed the decision to update its inactivity policy to a need to enhance security for users.

Accounts that have remained idle for a long time are more likely to be vulnerable.

The tech giant added that these accounts are 10 times less likely to have their two-step verification set up as well.

In addition to deleting the account itself, the company will remove data stored in the following Google services:

 
  • Gmail
  • Docs
  • Drive
  • Meet
  • Calendar
  • YouTube
  • Google Photos

Google will only consider an account active if a user logs in and performs any number of actions.

This includes reading or sending an e-mail, using Google Drive or watching a YouTube video, among others.

Source: photobyphotoboy on Canva

They must remain logged in while carrying out the action to ensure Google considers the account active.

Users will receive notification prior to removal

Prior to deleting the account, Google has assured it will notify the user beforehand.

For instance, it will send notifications warning of the impending deletion to the account or its recovery email.

Source: Solen Feyissa on Unsplash

Google had also emphasised back in May that it plans to adopt a “phased approach” to the removal of accounts.

It will thus start by deleting accounts that users created before never using them again.

In addition, it will send similar notifications to Google Photos users before removing any stored content.

An account can be exempt from the deletion, however, if it:

  • Was used to purchase a digital item or a Google product, app, service or subscription that is current or ongoing
  • Contains a gift card with a monetary balance
  • Owns a published app or game with ongoing subscriptions and active associated financial transactions
  • Manages an active minor account with Family Link.

More information about Google’s inactivity policy is available here.

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image adapted from PhotoMIX Company on Pexels.

Sudeshna Dhar

Sudeshna is a lover of all romcoms, especially Gone Girl (2014).

Recent Posts

2 community cats die after being hit by cars in Marine Terrace, caregivers seeking footage

The driver who hit one of the cats purportedly denied doing so behaved angrily.

23 Nov 2024, 1:33 am

‘Tiger Candy’ contains erectile dysfunction medicine, may cause painful & exceedingly long erections: SFA

It has been marketed online as a candy that helps with male sexual enhancement.

23 Nov 2024, 12:11 am

Pop Mart pursuing legal action over unauthorised use of Labubu images by certain brands

"POP MART does not have any official licensed partners in Singapore," it said.

22 Nov 2024, 11:25 pm

Heavy rain on 22 Nov causes flash floods in Yishun & Potong Pasir, 127.7mm recorded in northern S’pore

51% of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in November fell in northern Singapore over less than…

22 Nov 2024, 10:27 pm

Pilot treats passengers to pizzas after emergency landing causes hours-long delay in the US

He made sure all the passengers were served before taking a slice for himself.

22 Nov 2024, 6:32 pm

Woman in China grows ‘trident’ flesh on fingernail, apparently due to improper & frequent manicures

The doctor recommended a 2-week gap between manicures to allow nails to recover.

22 Nov 2024, 6:08 pm