How to Prevent Google from Deleting Your Old Account: Inactive Google Account Policy
If you have a Google account that you haven't used for a long time, you might want to check on it soon. Starting from December 1, 2023, Google will begin deleting accounts that have been inactive for at least two years. This means that you could lose access to your Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, YouTube, and other Google services that are linked to your account. This policy is for personal Google Accounts only.
Why is Google deleting inactive accounts?
Google says that the main reason for deleting inactive accounts is to improve security and protect users from potential account hijacking. According to Google, "forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven't had two factor authentication set up, and receive fewer security checks by the user". By removing these accounts, Google hopes to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and misuse of personal data.
Another reason for deleting inactive accounts is to free up storage space and resources. Google offers 15 GB of free storage for each account, which can be used across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. However, this space can quickly fill up, especially if you have a lot of emails, documents, and photos stored in your account. By deleting inactive accounts, Google can reclaim some of the storage space and make it available for other users.
How to save your Google account?
If you don't want to lose your Google account and the data associated with it, you need to act fast. If you want to check your activity status (if the Google account is active) sign in to your Google account to confirm. The easiest way to save your account is to simply sign in to it once before December 1, 2023. This will reset the clock and prevent your account from being deleted. You can sign in to your account by using any Google service, such as Gmail, Google Drive, YouTube, or Google Search. You can also use your Google account to sign in to third-party apps or websites that support Google login.
However, signing in to your account is not enough to ensure its security. You can also take some additional steps to protect your account and data, such as:
- Changing your password to a strong and unique one that you haven't used before or elsewhere.
- Enabling two-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a verification code or device when you sign in.
- Adding recovery information, such as a phone number or an alternate email address, which can help you regain access to your account if you forget your password or lose your device.
- Reviewing your account activity and security settings, which can help you detect and resolve any suspicious or unauthorized actions on your account.
- Exporting and downloading your data, which can help you create a backup of your data or use it in another service. You can use this link to create an archive of your data from various Google products and choose how to receive it.
What if you don't need your Google account anymore?
If you have a Google account that you don't use or need anymore, you might want to consider deleting it yourself instead of waiting for Google to do it. This can give you more control over your data and privacy, as well as save Google some storage space and resources.
Before you delete your account, make sure that you have saved or transferred any important data that you want to keep, such as emails, photos, documents, contacts, or subscriptions. Once you delete your account, you won't be able to access or recover it, and your Gmail address won't be available for anyone else to use.
Google's decision to delete inactive accounts may seem harsh, but it is understandable from a security and efficiency perspective. If you have a Google account that you haven't used for a long time, you should either sign in to it to save it or delete it yourself to get rid of it. Either way, you should also take some measures to protect your account and data, such as changing your password, enabling two-factor authentication, adding recovery information, and downloading your data. By doing so, you can ensure that your Google account and data are safe and secure.
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