Google will start deleting those personal accounts that have been inactive for two years from this week. The tech giant announced this policy in May, stating that it will purge the content in inactive accounts within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar), YouTube, and Google Photos.
Starting December 1, the company will begin deleting such accounts. According to Google’s Inactive Google Account Policy, “Google products reserve the right to delete your data when your account has not been used within that product for a 2-year period.”
“December 1, 2023, is the earliest a Google Account will be deleted due to this policy,” the company added. This policy only applies to users’ personal Google Account and does not apply to any Google Account set up through work, school, or other organizations.
Google highlighted the importance of this policy, explaining that if an account hasn’t been used for an extended period, it is more likely to be compromised due to outdated or re-used passwords, lack of two-factor authentication, and fewer security checks the user.
In August, the tech giant sent emails to its billions of users, updating the inactivity period for a Google Account to two years across all its products and services. This move aims to ensure security and protect users from potential vulnerabilities.
While this change may affect some users, it reflects Google’s commitment to data security and user protection. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it’s crucial for companies like Google to implement policies that safeguard user information and prevent potential security risks.