Google will delete inactive accounts if unused for 2 years to prevent security threats

Google has announced that, starting December, it will be deleting accounts that have remained unused for 2 years. The move is aimed at preventing security threats, including hacks. If a Google account has not been used or signed into for at least two years, the company may delete the account and content across Google Workspace , which includes Gmail , Docs, Drive, Meet, and Calendar, as well as YouTube and Google Photos .

The policy change only applies to personal Google Accounts and not to those for organizations like schools or businesses. In 2020, Google had said it would remove content stored in an inactive account, but not delete the account itself.

The decision comes after growing concerns about online security threats: cybercriminals often target dormant accounts because they are more likely to be vulnerable to attack. By deleting unused accounts, Google hopes to reduce the number of potential targets for hackers.

Google will send multiple notifications to the account email address and recovery mail of the inactive accounts before deletion. This will give users ample time to log in and save any important data or files before their accounts are permanently deleted.

The move by Google follows a similar announcement by Twitter CEO Elon Musk, who said last week that Twitter would remove accounts that have been inactive for several years and archive them. According to Musk, the action is "important to free up abandoned handles."

The decision by Google and Twitter to delete inactive accounts has been met with mixed reactions. While some users have welcomed the move as a way to improve online security, others have expressed concerns about losing access to their accounts and data. However, Google has assured users that it will only delete accounts that have been inactive for a long period and that it will send multiple notifications before doing so. While the decision may inconvenience some users, it is a necessary step to ensure the safety and security of the online community.