NEWS  News  November 9, 2023  Reading time: ~1 minute)

Max (RS editor)

In an announcement earlier this year, Ruth Kricheli, Vice President of Google's product management, unveiled the tech giant's plan to delete millions of inactive Gmail, Drive, and Photo accounts, marking a strategic move in bolstering account security.

The initiative, set to kick off in December, stems from a crucial security consideration outlined by Kricheli. Dormant accounts, left untouched for an extended period, pose a higher risk of compromise. Such accounts often cling to outdated or reused passwords, lack two-factor authentication, and receive limited security scrutiny from users. Consequently, these neglected accounts become susceptible to a range of threats, from identity theft to becoming conduits for unwanted or malicious content like spam.

The scope of this cleanup extends to Google Workspace, covering Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar, and Google Photos. It is important to note that this policy applies solely to personal Google Accounts and excludes organizational accounts tied to schools or businesses.

The account deletions will unfold gradually, prioritizing those accounts created and abandoned without subsequent use. Google account holders on the chopping block will receive multiple notifications via their registered email addresses.

Maintaining the vitality of your account is straightforward – a login every two years will suffice. Any activity, including reading or sending emails, utilizing Google Drive, watching YouTube videos, downloading apps from the Google Play Store, conducting Google searches, or employing "Sign in with Google" for third-party apps or services, ensures the account remains active.

Additionally, individuals with existing subscriptions linked to their Google Accounts are considered to have active accounts.

In essence, Google's proactive approach seeks to fortify the security of its users' digital realms by eliminating dormant accounts, underlining the importance of periodic engagement to safeguard against potential vulnerabilities.