This week might be the end of that Google account you have not used in years.
Starting this coming Friday, December 1, the tech firm will resume its effort to remove accounts that have not been utilized for at least two years.
The new policy was introduced in May by the corporation with the stated goal of preventing security concerns. According to internal research, accounts that are older are considerably more prone to phishing, hacking, and spam since they use recycled passwords and fail to implement modern security measures like two-step verification.
Terminating Old, Inactive Accounts
According to CNN, multiple notifications have been issued to vulnerable accounts and user-provided backup emails since August, as Google has been issuing warnings to affected customers.
Google said in May that it would start eliminating accounts in a staged method. The accounts that were established but never revisited by the user will be deleted first.
In an update to its policies from August, Google said, "We want to protect your private information and prevent any unauthorized access to your account even if you're no longer using our services."
Oren Koren, chief product officer and co-founder of cybersecurity company Veriti, argues that erasing outdated accounts is an important step in ensuring security since, despite their perceived low risk, they may really be opportunities for criminals to exploit.
Hackers may be compelled to establish new accounts in order to avoid account deletion, which now requires phone number verification. Not only that, but the deletion also removes any previously disclosed data from a breach long ago.
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Who May Still Use Their Accounts?
Because a Google account encompasses all of Google's services--from Gmail and Docs to Drive and Photos--any data stored throughout an inactive user's Google suite might lose its existence.
A few cases represent an exception to the rule against deletion. Those who have YouTube channels, those who still have money on gift cards, those who bought digital items like books or movies, and those who have published apps on platforms like the Google Play store will not be affected, the business said in August.
To make sure yours will not be deleted, keep your Google account active by logging in and using one of the services provided by the firm, such as Gmail, Drive, Photos, or Google Play.
CBS News reported that Google's account policy outlines the following steps to confirm that your account is active:
- Read or send an email
- Use the Google Drive and Google Search
- Watch a YouTube video
- Download an app via the Play Store
- Sign in with Google to access a third-party app or service
The decision to remove accounts is more drastic than a previous policy. According to Google, customers will be able to have their material removed from services they no longer use in 2020, but their accounts will remain intact.
