Google is about to delete 'inactive' accounts and what you need to know

Under a policy announced in May, accounts that have not been used for at least two years may be deleted. This will happen in phases starting this Friday (December 1).

Google is deleting inactive accounts, what do you need to know? image 1 — Photo: AP

If you have an account that is at risk of being deleted, you will receive multiple notifications from Google sent to the email associated with that account and the recovery address for that account. And if you still want to keep that account, especially your documents on Google Drive, Docs, Gmail etc. associated with that account, here is what you need to know:

Why google delete inactive account?

In a May announcement, Google attributed the removal of inactive accounts to security concerns. The company said accounts that have been inactive for a long time are more likely to be compromised.

Specifically, “forgotten or unmonitored accounts” often have old passwords, often lack two-factor authentication, and receive fewer security checks. As a result, these accounts can be hijacked and used to send spam or other malicious content, as well as steal identities.

How do I prevent my account from being deleted?

The easiest way to keep your Google account active is to sign in at least once every two years. Other activities that count as active include using Google search and watching YouTube videos with your Google account. Subscriptions set up through your Google account, including profiles for third-party apps and publications, can also count as active.

It's also worth keeping in mind when it comes to keeping content on Google Photos. As Google has previously announced, Photos content may be deleted after two years of inactivity—which means you should open the app regularly to keep images from falling into the trash.

Are there any exceptions to this policy?

Only personal Google accounts that have not been used for two years or more are affected by this inactive account policy. Google says accounts created for organizations like schools or companies are not affected.

According to Google's online policies, other exceptions include accounts that manage active small accounts, accounts with gift card balances, and accounts that have been used to purchase active Google products, apps, or subscription services.

A Google spokesperson confirmed to the AP on Monday that they also have no plans to delete accounts with YouTube videos at this time.

Can I save data from my Google account?

In addition to keeping your Google account active, there are a number of tools to help manage and back up your data.

For example, Google Takeout allows users to download and export account data outside of Google at any time. Google also says it may work with families of deceased people to close accounts or provide some account content without a login — depending on the circumstances.

Additionally, Google also reminds users to provide and update a recovery email for their account. This is helpful because it helps users receive notifications of which of their accounts are considered inactive, as well as other necessary contact information.

Hoang Hai (according to Google Blog, AP)

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