Google To Delete Millions Of Gmail Accounts In December: Tips To Avoid It

In a move set for December this year, Google is set to remove inactive accounts, citing the potential misuse of these accounts. Users have the option to prevent deletion by continuing to use their accounts.

Upcoming Deletion of Inactive Accounts

Google has declared that accounts lying dormant for an extended period will be purged in December. Users are urged to take action to prevent the removal of their accounts, particularly those inactive for two years or more. Google has been communicating this decision to users, offering ample time to reactivate dormant accounts.

"This is because 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," Kricheli added.

"Our internal analysis shows abandoned accounts are at least 10x less likely than active accounts to have two-step verification set up. These accounts are often vulnerable, and once an account is compromised, it can be used for anything from identity theft to a vector for unwanted or even malicious content, like spam,” he further stated.

Reactivation Steps by Google

To salvage an inactive account, users can sign in to any Google product using the account and ensure they maintain the associated email address for the foreseeable future. If an account remains inactive, it will be deleted, and notably, the associated Gmail ID cannot be reused for creating a new Google account.

Keeping Your Google Account Active

Google suggests that regularly signing in once every two years is the optimal method to keep an account active. However, alternative actions can also be taken:

-Read or send an email from your Google account
-Utilize Google Drive for content uploads or downloads
-Watch a video on YouTube from the same account
-Share a photo via Google Photo
-Download an app from the Play Store with your registered Google account

Google's Justification for Deletion

The drastic action taken by Google aims to safeguard user privacy and prevent potential unauthorized access to long-unused accounts. The company confirmed these changes via email in July, and with December fast approaching, it is crucial for users to adhere to Google's guidelines to maintain the activity of their accounts.