Google Initiates Mass Deletion of Inactive Gmail and Photos Accounts

Clearing the Digital Clutter for Enhanced Security

Google is set to embark on a mass deletion of inactive Gmail and Photos accounts starting December 1st, in accordance with a planned move announced back in May. This initiative targets accounts that have remained inactive for two years, involving the deletion of all associated content, including Drive, Google Photos, and Docs files.

Security Rationale:
Google’s Vice President of Product Management, Ruth Kricheli, emphasized the necessity of this move as a crucial security measure. In a blog post on The Keyword, Kricheli explained that accounts left unused for extended periods are more susceptible to compromise. Forgotten or neglected accounts often rely on outdated or reused passwords, lack two-factor authentication, and receive fewer security checks, making them vulnerable to various threats.

Magnitude of the Operation:
With Gmail boasting 1.5 billion global active users as of 2019, the scale of the operation is substantial. Scammers targeting Gmail users have been a known concern, making it imperative for Google to address dormant accounts to reclaim names and storage space. While the exact number of inactive accounts remains undisclosed, the potential for freeing up significant storage resources is considerable.

Exemptions and User Safeguards:
Certain users and use cases are exempt from the deletion process. Accounts tied to Google product or subscription purchases, as well as those associated with organizations, will be spared. The new policy exclusively applies to personal Google accounts.

Phased Deletion Approach:
The deletion process will be initiated in a phased manner, commencing with accounts that were created but never used. Google will send warnings to the account’s email and recovery addresses before deletion. To ensure accounts are not included in the deletion process, users can simply sign in to their Google dashboard, Gmail account, or engage in activities such as signing into YouTube, Drive, or downloading apps from the Play Store.

Source: Forbes

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaTsG6L60eBZ0fm9Za1O

https://chat.whatsapp.com/DCV43KxQ6PZDj66acQ7ULM

https://facebook.com/allmediaconnect

https://www.twitter.com/allmediaconnect
Telegram Group

https://t.me/allmediaconnect