Photo by Solen Feyissa on Unsplash
Google To Begin Deleting Inactive Accounts as Early as December
November 27, 2023
Google users with older accounts could risk losing their data beginning Dec. 1. That’s when Google is moving ahead with its plan to delete accounts that have been inactive for at least two years.
In May 2023, Google announced the new policy. It is intended to prevent security risks. The site shared that older accounts are more likely to rely on recycled passwords. They are also less likely to employ up-to-date security measures like two-step verification. This makes these accounts vulnerable to phishing, hacking, and spam issues.
When an account is compromised, “it can be used for anything from identity theft to a vector for unwanted or even malicious content, like spam,” the company said in its statement in May. The new Google policy will begin by eliminating accounts that users created and then never used again.
“We want to protect your private information and prevent any unauthorized access to your account even if you’re no longer using our services,” Google wrote in an August policy update, according to CNN.
“Starting later this year, if a Google Account has not been used or signed into for at least 2 years, we may delete the account and its contents — including content within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar) and Google Photos,” Ruth Kricheli, Google’s vice president of product management, stated.
However, the new policy only applies to personal Google accounts. Business accounts will not be affected.
The company’s updated account policy shows that Google will also not remove accounts that have uploaded YouTube videos or have active subscriptions to apps or news services. Users will receive notifications that their affected accounts will be terminated before the policy rolls out beginning Dec. 1.
Before deleting, Google will go through a checklist to ensure that a user’s account is active. Ways to ensure this include signing into the email, using Google Drive, watching a YouTube video, downloading an app on the Google Play store, using Google Search, or using Sign in with Google to access a third-party app or service.
“By proactively removing these accounts, Google effectively shrinks the attack surface available to cybercriminals,” Oren Koren, CPO and co-founder of cybersecurity firm Veriti, told CNN. “This action by Google exemplifies a broader trend in cybersecurity: taking preemptive steps to strengthen overall digital security landscapes.”
Recent News
Media Giants Depend on Sports As Content Shortages Rise
As Hollywood emerges from last year’s strikes, major media companies are turning to live sports to attract audiences and advertisers. This trend was evident during this year’s Upfront presentations, where media giants showcased their upcoming content and advertising opportunities.
New Trader Joe’s Opens in SF After 10 Years
San Francisco’s Hayes Valley neighborhood welcomed a highly anticipated new addition on May 17, 2024, with the grand opening of a Trader Joe’s at 555 Fulton St., on the corner of Laguna Street. This event marks the end of a decade-long wait for residents who have been eagerly looking forward to a new grocery store in their area.
China’s Property Market Boost: Stocks Surge, Copper Hits Highs
The Chinese government unveiled a comprehensive support package that has sent ripples through financial markets. This initiative includes a slew of measures aimed at stimulating housing demand and addressing the excess inventory burdening developers. The immediate impact was a significant rally in Chinese stocks and a surge in commodity prices, notably copper, which hit record highs.
Mercedes-Benz Workers in Alabama Reject Union
In a pivotal moment for autoworkers in the southern United States, employees at a Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama have voted against joining the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. The outcome, with 56% of workers voting against unionization and 44% in favor, comes as a significant setback for the UAW’s efforts to expand its influence in the region.