Google's previous Gmail policy, announced in 2020, said that Google might delete data kept in accounts that haven't been accessed in at least two years, and the accounts themselves would not be deleted.
However, according to the newest blog post by product manager Ruth Kricheli, those accounts can now be erased completely.
What is the future of my old and unused Gmail accounts?
Google might remove the account and its contents if it hasn't been activated or logged in for at least two years.
This is applicable to all Google Workspace material, as well as YouTube and Google Photos. Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, and Calendar are all included.
The new rule, however, only impacts personal Google Accounts. "It will not affect accounts for organizations like schools or businesses," Ruth Kricheli, Google's vice president of product management, said in a blog post earlier this week.
Rene Ritchie, a YouTuber, wrote on Twitter that the policy will not involve deleting any accounts that have uploaded YouTube videos, as users worried that channels made by individuals who have died or otherwise stopped their accounts would be removed from the YouTube network.
Google has now revised its blog post announcing the new policy to clarify this, stating that "we do not have plans to delete accounts with YouTube videos at this time."
When's this updated policy going to take effect?
Google will begin erasing accounts as early as December. The new policy won't go into effect until December of this year at the earliest, giving you time to gather old login information or for Google to find more information on how all of your Gmail accounts are still running. According to 9to5Google, the erased Gmail addresses will not be made accessible for reuse.
Will I be notified if my account is being erased?
This new Google strategy regarding Gmail accounts, according to Ms. Kricheli, will be implemented slowly and meticulously with plenty of notice. "We will proceed in stages, beginning with accounts that were created and never used again."
That means Google will issue constant notices in the months preceding account cancellation. These emails are said to be delivered to both the account email address and the recovery email address (if one has been given)
Why is Google implementing this new policy?
Google's new policy is driven by concerns about security. According to Google, inactive accounts are less likely to have two-step verification than active accounts. Abandoned accounts are frequently easily reached to wrongdoers and significantly more prone to phishing, hacking, and spam.
"An account that hasn't been used in a long time is more likely to be stolen. Once an account is compromised, it can be taken advantage of for everything from stealing a person's identity to serving as a method for undesired or malicious content, such as spam" according to Ms Kricheli
This is due to the fact that neglected or unchecked accounts frequently depend on old or re-used passwords that may have been hacked, lack two-factor authentication, and receive fewer security checks from the user.
What can I do to keep my account active?
Every two years, you must check-login into your Google Account. According to Google, this is the easiest way to keep your account operational and prevent your photos and content from being wiped out. What actions, though, are considered to keep your account active?
When you log in or while you are signed in to your Google Account. The vital action you take to maintain Gmail accounts operation may include the following activities: reading or sending an email, using Google Drive or Google Search, watching a YouTube video, downloading an app through the Google Play Store, and signing in to a third-party app or service through Sign in with Google.