Google has announced that it will start cleaning up “dormant Google accounts” in an effort to free up storage space and improve security. This move is part of Google’s ongoing efforts to improve the user experience and ensure that its services are secure and reliable. Google issued a similar warning for Gmail accounts last year for the same reason. The company has now announced that it will delete a Google account that has been dormant for two years starting tomorrow, December 1st.
This decision arises from the concern that using abandoned Google accounts is a considerable security risk. Rather than merely erasing the account content, Google has opted to delete these accounts entirely to mitigate potential misuse.
Google claims that they will not delete all eligible accounts at once, but will delete them in stages. Google will first delete accounts that have never been used. Then it will start to delete dormant accounts that have not been active in the past two years. Google said
Once the user’s Google account is deleted, the Gmail messages, documents/sheets/slides, Google Drive, calendar, contacts and other data in the user account will also be deleted. Unless the user uploads a video in the YouTube account, the user ‘s YouTube profile will also disappear.
What are Dormant Google Accounts?
Dormant Google accounts are accounts that have been inactive for a long time. These accounts are not being used by their owners and are not generating any activity.
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Google is cleaning up dormant accounts to free up storage space and improve security. Dormant accounts take up valuable storage space that could be used by active users. By cleaning up these accounts, Google can free up storage space and ensure that its services are fast and reliable.
In addition, dormant accounts can pose a security risk. Hackers can target these accounts and use them to launch attacks on other users. By cleaning up these accounts, Google can reduce the risk of security breaches and ensure that its services are secure.
How Can Users Avoid Losing Their Data?
Users can avoid losing their data by ensuring that their accounts remain active. This can be done by logging into their accounts regularly and using Google’s services. If users have not used their accounts for a long time, they should log in and use them to ensure that they remain active.
According to Google, the following actions can ensure that users Google account remains active
- Read or send email
- Use Google Drive
- Watch YouTube videos
- Share a photo
- Download the App on the Play Store
- Use the search function
- Use Google to log in to third-party apps or services
Conclusion
Google’s decision to clean up dormant accounts is a positive step towards improving the user experience and ensuring that its services are secure and reliable. By freeing up storage space and reducing the risk of security breaches, Google can provide a better service to its users. However, users should be aware of the risks associated with dormant accounts and take steps to ensure that their accounts remain active. By doing so, they can avoid losing their data and ensure that they can continue to use Google’s services.
