Starting December 1, Google is set to purge all accounts inactive for two years or more, marking a significant move aimed at mitigating the risk of account hijacking by cybercriminals. The decision is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to bolster user account security.
Many users likely possess dormant accounts stemming from instances where an email address was required for a free trial or service, and they opted to use a secondary email address. However, this leniency is now coming to an end as Google takes the initiative to eliminate these antiquated and unused accounts.
Google’s analysis reveals that inactive accounts are ten times less likely to utilize two-factor authentication—a crucial security measure requiring users to authenticate their identity through both a password and a secondary method, such as a text message or authenticator app code. Such accounts become susceptible to cybercrimes, including identity theft.
Users indifferent to the fate of their dormant accounts need not take any action, as Google will automatically remove them from the system, providing a seamless and hassle-free process.
Google To Purge Inactive Accounts to Bolster Security – Here’s How to Save Yours:
A straightforward method to keep an account active is to log in and read an email within Gmail or send an email. Any interaction within the account serves as an acknowledgment of its activity, preserving it from the impending purge. Additionally, watching a YouTube video, accessing Google Drive to upload or download a file, creating a Google Doc, signing into the account to download an app through the Play Store, or conducting a Google search are all effective ways to signal ongoing account use.
Users subscribed to Google One through their email are assured that their accounts will be spared from the purge.
For those contemplating the removal of their old Google profiles while retaining their data, Google’s Takeout service proves to be a valuable resource. This service allows users to download content, including Google Photos, Drive, activity history, Android configurations, and more, directly to their devices. However, it’s important to note that using Takeout will signal to Google that the account is active again. If permanent removal is desired, users must manually delete their accounts.
To initiate the account deletion process, users can navigate to the “Data and Privacy” page within the “Manage Your Google Account” section. Following the provided prompts will guide users through the deletion process, ensuring the closure of their old accounts.
The decision by Google to purge inactive accounts reflects a commitment to bolstering cybersecurity and ensuring that users actively engaged with their accounts benefit from enhanced security measures.
