As of December 1, 2023, Google has begun deleting inactive Gmail accounts. This means that if you haven’t logged into your Gmail account for at least two years, it may be deleted, along with all of the data stored within it.
Why is Google doing this?
Google says that they are deleting inactive accounts for two main reasons:
- To free up storage space. Google offers 15GB of free storage per account, and that space can fill up quickly if you’re not using your account. By deleting inactive accounts, Google can free up storage space for other users.
- To improve security. Inactive accounts are more likely to be compromised by hackers. By deleting these accounts, Google can help to keep its users’ data safe.
What does this mean for you?
If you haven’t logged into your Gmail account in over two years, you should take action to save it. Here are a few things you can do:
- Log in to your account. This is the easiest way to keep your account active.
- Download your data. You can download a copy of all of your Gmail data, including your emails, contacts, and calendar events.
- Update your account information. Make sure that your contact information is up to date, so that Google can let you know if your account is about to be deleted.
How can you find out if your account is inactive?
Google will send you a warning email if your account is about to be deleted. You can also check your account status by following these steps:
- Go to the Inactive Account Manager.
- Sign in to your Google account.
- Review the list of accounts and their inactivity status.
What are the exceptions to this policy?
There are a few exceptions to Google’s inactive account policy. These exceptions include:
- Accounts that are used to access Google Play Music or YouTube Premium.
- Accounts that are used to store Google Drive files.
- Accounts that are associated with a Google Workspace account.
- Accounts that belong to children under the age of 13.
What happens if your account is deleted?
If your Gmail account is deleted, you will lose all of the data that was stored within it. This includes your emails, contacts, calendar events, and Google Drive files. You will not be able to recover any of this data once your account is deleted.
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Here are some additional tips for keeping your Gmail account active:
- Use your Gmail account regularly.
- Add a recovery email address and phone number to your account.
- Enable two-factor authentication for added security.
- Review your account settings regularly.
In conclusion, Google’s new inactive account policy is a reminder to keep your accounts active. By taking a few simple steps, you can ensure that your Gmail account is safe and secure.
Further Resources:
- Google’s Inactive Account Policy: https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/3036546?hl=en
- How to download your Gmail data: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9HZhrcoiQd8
- How to update your account information: https://www.google.com/account/about/
For more info:
CNBC Tech News: https://www.cnbc.com/technology/
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