New Delhi: Google has just revealed that it will begin erasing unused Gmail accounts beginning in December 2023, so you may want to consider signing in before then. According to Google’s rules, dormant accounts are terminated after two years.
Google has given an urgent deadline for all Gmail users, warning that accounts may be erased next month, according to a recent notice. According to the tech giant’s official announcement, inactive accounts will be deleted beginning in December 2023.
Active users of Gmail, Docs, Calendar, and Photos don’t need to worry; the change won’t impact their accounts. However, if your Google Account has been inactive for a long time, you need to start using it again to avoid deletion.
Google warns it will DELETE millions of #Gmail Accounts in December!
“If a #Google Account has not been used or signed into for at least 2 years, we may delete the account and its contents, including content within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar, and… pic.twitter.com/jqPoDBE51P
— Amit Bhawani 🇮🇳 (@amitbhawani) November 8, 2023
TL;DR: if you haven’t used your Google account in 2 years or more and have important documents, pictures, etc. in there that you don’t wish to lose, go ahead and check it now. https://t.co/ORqxQLEFkO
— Antony Fuentes (@TonyFWeb) November 8, 2023
Why Google is Taking Such Measures?
The new regulation is an effort to tighten security since dormant or abandoned accounts provide a greater target for hackers. According to Google’s policy, accounts that haven’t been accessed for more than two years may be deleted along with any associated data. Information stored in Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Meet, Google Calendar, and Google Photos is also included.
The decision was driven by safety concerns since fraudsters often target dormant accounts. According to Google, inactive or forgotten accounts are more likely to use weak or recycled passwords, lack two-step authentication, and undergo fewer security checks. According to Google’s research, abandoned accounts are 10 times less likely to have two-factor authentication enabled, leaving them more vulnerable to fraud and theft.
This is not a random procedure; rather, it is a preventative action taken to safeguard consumers’ data. Google wants to make the internet a safer place for everyone by promoting account activation and security best practices. To avoid losing access to your Gmail account forever, you should check in before the deadline approaches.
Urgent deadline for all Gmail users – Google could delete your account next month
….so remember to log in to your accounts and do som sheet! https://t.co/7GNZghhWCN— KindCoolKillers (@KindCoolKillers) November 6, 2023
Google just updated its account deletion policy
Basically, your gmail will be deleted if you don’t use it for 2 years
About time for crypto bros to start posting
“You don’t own you gmail address, google can delete it”3+ likes & i will post a thread on the policy change pic.twitter.com/J81I6ZBEJH
— KUMAR RAVI (@limitlessx420) July 28, 2023
Is Your Account Safe?
Google suggests users be watchful and take a few simple precautions to protect their data from being deleted. Google sends repeated warnings to the primary and secondary email addresses associated with an account before removing it.
Also, Google is contacting impacted users by email. Therefore, your account should still be safe if you haven’t heard from Google.
Google stated, “Before deleting an account, we will send multiple notifications over the months leading up to deletion, to both the account email address and the recovery email (if one has been provided).”
Beware if you haven’t signed into Gmail, Drive, or Google Photos lately. Google has said it would delete inactive accounts. December is the crucial deadline for this action. This notice warns that some people may lose access to vital services and personal data in the coming weeks unless they check in and confirm with Google that they are still using them.
