Google Implements Policy to Delete Inactive Accounts After Two Years

In a recent blog post, Google has announced a new policy regarding inactive Google accounts, revealing that it will delete data from accounts that have not shown any activity within a two-year timeframe. The company's motive behind this move is primarily to combat spam and enhance security measures. According to Google, abandoned accounts are significantly more vulnerable to compromise and can become breeding grounds for spam and identity theft. Additionally, deleting inactive accounts will help optimize storage and reduce costs, aligning with Google's recent cost-cutting efforts.

Notably, the policy applies exclusively to individual Google accounts. Business accounts that require a monthly fee can remain inactive as long as the payments continue. Google clarifies that to maintain an active status, users need to sign in at least once every two years—a simple task that qualifies an account as active. The company provides examples of activities that demonstrate account engagement, such as reading or sending emails, utilizing Google Drive, watching YouTube videos, downloading apps from the Google Play Store, conducting searches on Google, and using the "Sign in with Google" feature for third-party applications or services.

Furthermore, Google's support documentation on "inactive" accounts highlights that activities like 'Android check-ins' can serve as a form of account engagement. Hence, simply connecting an Android phone can help ensure the account remains active indefinitely. Additionally, paying for a Google One storage subscription is also considered an activity that prevents account deletion. Interestingly, Google Photos maintains separate criteria for account activity, requiring users to visit the Google Photos app or website, or upload a photo at least once every two years to maintain account viability and avoid deletion of their photos.

It's important to note that accounts that have already surpassed the two-year mark of inactivity will not be immediately deleted. The "Great Google Account Purge" is officially scheduled for December 2023. Google assures users that multiple notifications will be sent to both the account email address and the recovery email (if provided) in the months leading up to deletion, ensuring that individuals are aware of the impending action.

With this new policy, Google aims to maintain account security, reduce spam, optimize storage, and streamline its operations. By deleting inactive accounts, the company takes proactive steps towards safeguarding user data and enhancing the overall user experience. Users are encouraged to stay engaged with their Google accounts by regularly signing in and participating in various Google services to ensure their accounts remain active and their data is retained.