Is Google deleting Gmail accounts? Yes, and here’s how to avoid the purge

Is Google deleting Gmail accounts for real? Google, with its 1.8 billion Gmail users, is making a big change to manage its massive number of accounts. If your Gmail account has been gathering dust for a while, it might be at risk of disappearing. This shift is part of Google’s strategy to tackle two major issues: security and storage. Inactive accounts can be more vulnerable to cyberattacks, and they also consume precious storage space that could be used more effectively. So, what should you do to keep your Gmail account safe from being delhttps://dataconomy.com/2022/12/06/enterprise-cloud-storage-types-advantages/eted? Let’s explore.

Why is Google deleting Gmail accounts?

Google dominates the email market, with over 1.8 billion Gmail users globally. However, managing that many accounts comes with challenges—security being one of the biggest.

Inactive accounts are more vulnerable to cyberattacks because they often lack updated security measures like Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Google found that abandoned accounts are significantly more likely to be compromised, which poses a risk to the account holder and others through phishing scams or spam. By removing inactive accounts, Google reduces the chances of these older, less secure accounts being exploited by hackers.

Managing billions of accounts also requires a significant amount of storage. Inactive accounts consume valuable resources, especially those with unused data in Gmail, Google Drive, or Google Photos. By clearing out dormant accounts, Google can free up storage space and improve overall system performance, allowing them to focus on active users and services.

In light of Google deleting Gmail accounts, many people are revisiting their account activity to ensure they remain unaffected (Credit) How to keep your Gmail safe?

To avoid having your Gmail account deleted in Google’s upcoming purge of inactive accounts, follow these simple steps to ensure your account remains active:

• Send an email: Simply logging into your account isn’t enough. To keep your Gmail account safe, you need to send an email from it. This counts as activity and signals to Google that your account is in use.
• Watch a YouTube video: While signed in to your Google account, watch a video on YouTube. Interacting with Google services, including YouTube, counts as activity and will protect your account from deletion.
• Use Google Search: Perform a Google search while signed in to your account. It’s one of the easiest ways to ensure your account stays active, as any search counts as user engagement.
• Share a photo or use Google Drive: Use Google Photos or Google Drive to upload or share files. These actions are also considered account activity and will keep your account active.
• Run a Google Security Check-Up: It’s a good idea to run a Google Account Security Check-Up. This ensures your account is secure and helps prevent it from being flagged as inactive in the future.

Perform any of these actions at least once every two years, and your Gmail account will be safe from deletion.

Exceptions

If your account is tied to a financial transaction, such as purchasing a book, app, or Google subscription, your account will remain safe. Accounts managed under Google’s Family Link service are also excluded from this policy. Additionally, business and educational accounts are unaffected.

Featured image credit: Eray Eliaçık/Bing