By John Ikani
Google, the search giant, has announced that it would permanently remove accounts that lay dormant for an extended period.
In a recent blog post, Google outlined its criteria for inactivity, considering an account inactive if there has been no login or activity within a two-year timeframe.
The tech behemoth defines activity broadly, encompassing actions like signing in, reading or sending an email, utilizing Google Drive, watching a YouTube video, sharing photos, downloading an app, and conducting searches while signed in.
Effective December 1, 2023, accounts falling into inactive category will face deletion, signalling a proactive measure to streamline its user database.
The account-cleansing policy exclusively pertains to personal accounts and excludes those affiliated with employers, schools, or other organizations.
The post emphasizes, “Google products reserve the right to delete your data when your account has not been used within that product for a 2-year period,” marking December 1, 2023, as the earliest date for potential deletions.
However, exceptions exist, notably for accounts with recent activities such as purchases in the Google Play store or those carrying an active balance on a gift card.
Google aims to communicate impending deletions well in advance, employing email notifications sent to the affected accounts and any available recovery email addresses.
The strategic approach ensures users are informed and have an opportunity to take necessary actions before the account is permanently expunged.
