Google Warns Inactive Gmail Users to Update or Lose Accounts
Google has issued a three-week warning to inactive Gmail account holders to update their records or risk losing their accounts. The internet search giant plans to purge millions of Gmail accounts that have been inactive for up to two years, resulting in the permanent loss of emails, documents, photos, and videos.
The removal of inactive Gmail accounts is part of a major update to the email service. All personal Gmail accounts that have been dormant for at least two years will be affected by the purge. The updated policy, which was introduced this year, is expected to take effect by December 2023. Google is updating its inactivity policy for Google Accounts to two years across all Google products. Additionally, the policy limits the amount of time that Google can retain unused personal information from dormant accounts.
Enhancing User Safety
The move by Google to delete inactive Google accounts has positive safety implications. It is expected to protect active Google users from security threats like phishing, account hijacking, and scams. Dormant Google accounts are at a higher risk of being compromised by hackers. Google will send multiple notifications to affected inactive or dormant Gmail account holders before taking any action.
Notifications will also be sent to the attached recovery email address of affected accounts. Google has already begun sending emails to the affected accounts. Account holders facing the risk of account deletion can prevent it by performing various actions, such as sending or opening an email, accessing Google Drive, downloading an app from the Google Play Store, or simply conducting a Google search while logged into the account.
Protection for YouTube Users
Gmail has grown into a massive email platform with a ubiquitous appeal. Google has stated that any account that has posted a YouTube video will not be impacted by the account purge, regardless of its last activity date.
