Google to Delete Inactive Accounts on Friday
Google has announced its plan to delete inactive accounts that haven’t been used for a couple of years, starting this Friday, Excel Magazine International can report.
The tech giant emphasizes that this move is driven by security concerns, as forgotten and unused accounts are more susceptible to compromise.
The phased approach will begin with accounts that were created but never used. Users can prevent deletion by simply signing into their accounts, sending an email, or engaging with Google products like Gmail, Google Drive, or YouTube. Google suggests these actions will keep accounts active for another two years.
The company attributes the increased vulnerability of old accounts to outdated or reused passwords and the lack of two-factor authentication. Once compromised, these accounts pose risks ranging from identity theft to spreading malicious content.
To safeguard accounts, Google recommends ensuring an accessible recovery email address is associated with the account. This enables users to receive notifications and reset their passwords if needed. The affected accounts and their recovery email addresses have been notified of the impending deletion.
It’s worth noting that Google Photos users need to sign in specifically every two years to maintain account activity and prevent content deletion. Accounts created for work or school, those with ongoing Google services or subscriptions, and those managing a child’s account via Google’s Family Link feature will be exempt from the deletion policy.
Users who have recently signed into their accounts need not worry, as active accounts will not be deleted.
