Google has recently implemented a new policy requiring users to delete inactive accounts that have been inactive for at least two years.
Google revealed a significant update to its inactive account policies. Google is now notifying users about this change so that they can prevent their accounts from auto-deletion.
Google’s new policy comes as an effort to prioritize user security and reduce the risks directly associated with maintaining inactive accounts. Google has noticed that the new policy will take effect starting in December 2023. The company will transmit warning emails in advance to alert users whose accounts are at risk of deletion. Notably, the deletion will also impact all content stored in inactive accounts such as Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar, YouTube, and Google Photos.
Google said the company will take a phased approach that will apply to the accounts created and never used again.
The reason why Google is deleting inactive accounts
The objective behind the deletion of the accounts is to improvise the security system of Google. The company says abandoned accounts are at least ten times less likely than active accounts to have two-factor authentication set up, making them more vulnerable to hack.
There will also be a reduction in the risk of these types of attacks. This is because such are having two-factor authentication set up and receive fewer security checks by the user.
Remarkably, Google assures that the new policy only applies to personal Google Accounts and will not impact accounts for organizations like schools or businesses.
