The tech-giant, Google, has given Gmail account owners a three-week notice about an impending clean-up exercise that might result in permanent deletion of email accounts, documents, photos and videos.
In a recent announcement, the company says it is part of a significant update to the platform, impacting all personal Google accounts, especially those left inactive for at least two years.
Google’s Vice President of Product Management, Ruth Kricheli, had explained in a blog post back in May 2023 that the policy would be enacted to align with industry standards for retention and account deletion, limiting the time Google retains unused personal information.
She said the clean-up is now set to take effect in December 2023, targeting dormant accounts as a proactive step aimed to protect active users from potential security threats like phishing scams and account hijacking.
To avoid deletion, Kricheli advises users to take simple actions within the next three weeks, such as opening or sending an email, using Google Drive, downloading an app from the Google Play Store or performing a Google Search while logged into the account.
The company assures users at risk of deletion will receive multiple notifications before any action is taken, emphasizing their commitment to protecting private information and preventing unauthorized access to accounts.
It’s worth noting that Gmail accounts associated with posted YouTube videos will not face deletion, offering users some peace of mind. Nonetheless, users are encouraged to act promptly to safeguard their accounts and prevent any disruption to their access to associated online platforms and services.
