In a recent high-profile announcement, Google is preparing to delete some Gmail accounts. In November 2023, the company revealed its intention to delete any Gmail account that has been inactive for more than two years.
For an account to be considered inactive, it must not have been used with any of Google’s services, such as Gmail or Google Photos, during that period.
Users will receive multiple email warnings before the account is permanently deleted.
For example, one user reported receiving a warning in January that their Google account would be deleted on September 20 unless they took action.
As a result, Google and Gmail users are urged to urgently check their accounts in case they have received the same email.
Ruth Kricheli, VP of Product Management at Google, said last year: “If an account has not been used for an extended period of time, it is more likely to be compromised.”
Kricheli added that the change is necessary to “protect our users from security threats like spam, phishing scams, and account takeovers.”
Forgotten or unmonitored accounts are much more likely to have been compromised than actively managed accounts. Old accounts often rely on outdated or reused passwords and are 10 times less likely to have two-factor authentication set up, according to an internal Google analysis.
“These accounts are often vulnerable, and once compromised, they can be used for everything from identity theft to spreading unwanted or malicious content, such as spam,” Kricheli added.
Google’s radical move is aimed at strengthening the security of its users and raising awareness of the importance of keeping their Gmail accounts active and secure. It is essential that everyone takes the necessary steps to protect their data and avoid any potential threats related to account inactivity.