Google will begin deleting inactive accounts on December 1

Starting from December 1, 2023, Google will begin deleting accounts that have been inactive for at least two years. This means that if you haven't logged into your Google account for two or more years, your account and all the content associated with it, including Google Calendar appointments, Gmail messages, Google Docs archives, and Google Photos libraries may be permanently deleted.

Google had sent warning emails in July about the forthcoming deletion of accounts, specifically targeting inactive accounts. Before taking any action, several reminder emails will be sent to these accounts, along with notifications being dispatched to associated recovery email addresses.

Google's recent initiative is driven by a focus on security, according to Ruth Kricheli, a Google Vice President of Product Management. Regular account activity and security checks are important to prevent security breaches caused by inactive accounts, as highlighted by Kricheli. More information is available at Google's blog.

Inactive accounts not only increase the risk of being hacked, but also use up Google's storage space, increasing costs. In light of this, Google aims to encourage users to be more mindful of their digital footprint and to delete any unused accounts.

Forbes reports that there are currently over 1.8 billion active Gmail users and around 2 billion Google Photos users. With the upcoming content purge, many are concerned about the safety of their data. However, if you have used any Google service within the last two years, your account will be exempt from the deletion process. This should offer reassurance to many users.

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