Google will start deleting inactive Gmail accounts next month as part of a new cybersecurity initiative that will crack down on accounts that have not been touched in at least two years.
The new protocol will start on Dec. 1 and only affects personal email accounts because they are more susceptible to hacks. Business and school accounts will not be affected.
JOHNSON FACES FIRST TEST IN AVERTING SHUTDOWN AMID CONSERVATIVE RESISTANCE
"The simplest way to keep a Google Account active is to sign in at least once every two years," Product Management Vice President Ruth Kricheli said in a blog post in May. “If you have signed into your Google Account or any of our services recently, your account is considered active and will not be deleted. If you have an existing subscription set up through your Google Account, for example to Google One, a news publication or an app, we also consider this account activity and your account will not be impacted."
Users can also make their accounts active by using Google Drive, watching YouTube footage, downloading apps on the Google Play Store, or simply just using Google's search feature as long as they are logged into an account, according to Kricheli.
Kricheli said the company would first target accounts that were created but never used. It would then focus on the older, dormant accounts that have received numerous warnings and notifications. Kricheli said these older accounts are far less secure than the newer ones because they rely on outdated technology.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
"Forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven’t had two-factor authentication set up and receive fewer security checks by the user,” Kricheli said. “[The company has since] invested in technology and tools to protect our users from security threats, like spam, phishing scams and account hijacking.”
Google accounts that have YouTube videos uploaded to them are also safe for the time being, even if they have been inactive for two years.