Millions of Dormant Gmail Accounts to Be Deleted by Google in December, Warns Users
In a major platform modification, Google has warned that millions of Gmail accounts will be deleted in December. The deleted data includes emails, documents, spreadsheets, calendar appointments, images, videos, and other content from any personal Google account that has been dormant for at least two years, according to a report from The Independent.
The Gmail deletion policy, scheduled to take effect in December 2023, aims to restrict the amount of time Google retains unnecessary personal data and aligns with industry norms for retention and account termination.
Ruth Kricheli, Google’s Vice President of Product Management, stated in a May blog post, “This update aligns our policy with industry standards around retention and account deletion and also limits the amount of time Google retains your unused personal information.”
The main objective of this effort is to protect Google users from security risks such as phishing scams and account theft. Dormant Gmail accounts are susceptible to hacking, especially if they use credentials stolen from prior security lapses.
Google assures that Gmail accounts in danger of deletion will receive several warnings before any action is taken, including alerts to linked recovery email addresses. To keep their accounts active, Google recommends that users use its online services, such as sending or receiving emails, working on Google Drive, searching, installing applications from the Google Play Store, and viewing YouTube videos.
Google also commits to preserving YouTube accounts that have posted videos, regardless of when they were last used.
This update comes as Google faces its second big US antitrust action in two months. Epic Games has filed a case against the internet giant, claiming that it is misusing its influence in the market to block competitors and make more money through in-app purchase fees. Google refutes these claims and emphasizes Android’s rivalry with Apple and the iPhone.
In its legal struggle with Epic, Google has taken an ironic stance, while emphasizing the financial deal it made with Apple, ensuring Google’s search engine would be the default for the iPhone browser.
Amid these legal challenges, Google aims to enhance security while deleting dormant Gmail accounts and retaining the necessary data for active accounts.
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