Google will remove inactive accounts within a few days. Here’s a guide on how to preserve your data.
Attention Google account users: Those with an outdated account must act quickly or risk losing it permanently.
Starting on December 1st, Google will remove unused accounts and all associated content, including photos, calendar items, emails, contacts, and Drive files, in accordance with their updated account policy. This large-scale deletion is meant to safeguard users from potential security risks like spam, phishing attempts, and unauthorized access to accounts, as stated by Google.
All the information you need to keep your account active and preserve your data before the tech giant starts deleting inactive accounts on Friday.
Announcement regarding the alteration of policy.
When will Google accounts expire?
According to the updated policy notice from the company, Google will begin terminating accounts that have been inactive on Dec. 1, 2023.
According to the policy, the first step is to remove accounts that were created by users but never revisited.
Which Google accounts are being eliminated?
Based on the latest policy from Google, any account that has not been accessed or logged into for a minimum of 2 years may be deleted, along with all its contents such as emails, documents, files, meetings, and calendar appointments. This also applies to photos stored in Google Photos.
Unfortunately, the revised rule solely pertains to individual Google accounts and does not impact accounts managed by schools or businesses. Furthermore, Google’s latest account policy states that accounts with uploaded Youtube videos or active subscriptions to apps or news services will not be deleted.
The company stated that users who are affected will receive multiple notifications prior to the termination of their accounts.
What steps can I take to ensure that my Google account remains active?
To ensure the continued activity of your Google account, log in and utilize any of the company’s available tools, including Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and Google Play.
According to the account policy of the company, the following are actions that will indicate to Google that your account is currently active:
- Reading or sending an email
- Using Google Drive
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Viewing a video on YouTube.
- is simple
You can easily download an app from the Google Play store.
- Using Google Search
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Using the Google sign-in method to log into a third-party application or service.
What is the process for backing up my Google information?
Certain Google users may desire to retrieve their information, or safeguard it before their previous accounts become inactive. To accomplish this, you may visit the designated Google webpage, which provides instructions on utilizing the Google Takeout feature to retain your data.
You can use Google Takeout to choose between downloading all of your data or selecting specific services, like email or photos. You also have the option to download the data to other services, like Dropbox or Microsoft OneDrive.
Elizabeth Napolitano
Source: cbsnews.com