In order to prioritise your safety and security, Google may take the step of permanently removing your account and all data associated with it. Google understands the significance of maintaining an active and engaged user base. Hence, they have recently extended their inactivity policy for Google Accounts to two years.
This policy ensures that if your Google Account remains dormant and untouched for at least two years, Google may, with a heavy heart, erase your account and its contents. This includes all data within Google Workspace (such as Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar), YouTube, and Google Photos. Although this decision is not taken lightly, Google believes it is essential to maintain the integrity and security of its services.
Starting from December 2023, the company has announced its plans to delete inactive accounts. This process will be carried out gradually, starting with accounts that were created but have never been used again.
To ensure account holders are well-informed, the brand will initiate a series of notifications, sending multiple messages to both the account's email address and the designated recovery email address in the months leading up to the termination of an account. This proactive approach aims to provide ample opportunity for users to take appropriate action and prevent any unintended loss of data.
This modification is introduced by the company as a safety measure, as forgotten or neglected accounts often employ outdated or reused passwords that may have been compromised. Additionally, such accounts are less likely to have enabled two-factor authentication and receive fewer security checks from the user. According to the company's findings, abandoned accounts are at least ten times less likely to have 2-step verification enabled compared to active accounts. By addressing these concerns, the company aims to enhance overall security and protect users from potential security breaches.
The easiest method to maintain an active Google Account is to sign in at least once every two years. If you have recently logged into your Google Account or any of our services, rest assured that your account is still active and will not face termination. Regularly accessing your account ensures its continued functionality and safeguards it from potential deactivation.
