Google has updated its inactive account policy, which will now result in the deletion of accounts that have not been used for at least 2 years. The new policy went into effect on July 28, 2023, and accounts that are eligible for deletion will be removed starting on December 1, 2023. Learn how Google Updates Inactive Account Policy affects you in this article.
Google’s decision to update its inactive account policy is due to a number of factors, including the increasing risk of spam and phishing attacks from compromised accounts. Inactive accounts are also more likely to be hacked, as they are often not protected by two-factor authentication.
Under the new policy, any Google account that has not been used for at least 2 years will be considered inactive. This includes accounts that have not been signed in to, used to access Google products or services, or had any activity in Gmail, Drive, or Photos.
There are a few exceptions to the new policy. For example, accounts that have been used to make purchases or that contain gift cards with a monetary balance will not be deleted. Additionally, users who have set up Inactive Account Manager will be given the option to have their data transferred to a designated contact before their account is deleted.
Google is notifying users of the new policy through email and in-product messages. Users who have inactive accounts can check their status by visiting the Inactive Account Manager page.
If you have an inactive Google account that you want to keep, you can simply sign in to it once every 2 years to keep it active. You can also set up Inactive Account Manager to have your data transferred to a designated contact before your account is deleted.
How to Check Your Account Status
To check your account status, follow these steps:
- Go to the Inactive Account Manager page: https://myaccount.google.com/inactive.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Under “Account status,” you will see a message that indicates whether your account is active or inactive.
How to Keep Your Account Active
There are a few things you can do to keep your Google account active:
- Sign in to your account at least once every 2 years.
- Use Google products and services, such as Gmail, Drive, or Photos.
- Make purchases from the Google Play Store or other Google-operated stores.
- Set up Inactive Account Manager to have your data transferred to a designated contact before your account is deleted.
Google’s updated inactive account policy is a necessary step to protect users from spam and phishing attacks. If you have an inactive Google account, you should sign in to it once every 2 years to keep it active. You can also set up Inactive Account Manager to have your data transferred to a designated contact before your account is deleted.
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