Security Update - Google Inactive Accounts Purge

Starting in December, as part of a major security update, Google will delete millions of inactive Gmail accounts.

While this new policy was announced in May, Google has now begun the process by sending multiple notifications to users whose accounts will be deleted by the purge – which starts on December 1.

Here's what you need to know! 🤔

Which accounts?

Accounts not actively used for at least two years face

What will be lost?

Access to that account inbox and everything stored within it – including photos and videos.

Why now?

Google is updating their inactivity policy for Google Accounts.

The updated policy aligns Google with industry standards for retention and account deletion. Bonus, if you’ve got an inactive account and won’t be bothered to make it active is that this purge also limits the amount of time Google retains your unused personal information.’

Okay, is this really important?

The move is an actual response to security concerns.

When an account is abandoned this often leaves them vulnerable to attack. One, they are less likely to have two-factor authentication enabled and two, old passwords that may be available on the dark web, thanks to a security breach.

Who cares? It’s an abandoned account.

Well, an attacker who gains access to an inactive account can use it to access other accounts or to spread malware especially to your contacts.

Okay, so what is an inactive account?

An account that hasn’t been used in any form within that two-year period according to the new policy.

So that means Google has reserved the right to delete an inactive Google Account and its activity and data if it's been inactive across Google for at least two years.

Are there any exceptions?

Yes, your account may still be saved if it fits any of the following criteria, even if you haven’t logged into Gmail and used any functions:

• Your Google Account has been used to upload YouTube videos
• Your Google Account was used to make a purchase of a Google product, app, service, or subscription that is current or ongoing
• Your Google Account contains a gift card with a monetary balance
• Your Google Account owns a published application or game with ongoing, active subscriptions or active financial transactions associated with them. This might be a Google Account that owns an App on the Google Play store
• Your Google Account manages an active minor account with Family Link
• Your Google Account has been used to purchase a digital item, for example, a book or movie

Logging into your account isn’t enough to save it – you need to use it because activity is demonstrated by account, not device. It doesn’t matter where you generate activity in your account as long as you use it. Don’t forget, if you have more than one account on a single device, you must make sure both are active.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE

Besides the exceptions, Google also suggests taking one of the following actions:

• Reading or sending an email
• Using Google Drive
• Watching a YouTube video
• Sharing a photo
• Downloading an app
• Using Google Search
• Using Sign in with Google to sign in to a third-party app or service