Gmail users warned to check their accounts NOW as Google issues early deletion warning

GOOGLE has warned Gmail users that accounts could be permanently deleted if they haven't opened them for a while.

This includes not only Gmail, but also Google Photos, Google Drive, and even YouTube.

The tech giant confirmed late last year that it would be purging old accounts to free up space and keep the platform more secure.

“If a Google Account has not been used or logged in for at least two years, we may delete the account and its contents, including content within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar) and Google Photos,” Google confirmed. at the time in a blog post.

Google has issued takedown warnings to the accounts at risk of being cleared.

However, reports indicate that accounts that have not been used in less than two years are now also being targeted.

Several Google users and Forbes journalist Dave Winder have revealed how his account was attacked after just eight months of inactivity.

In the message, Google told Winder: “You are receiving this message because your Goggle account has not been used for at least eight months.

“If you want to keep your Google Account, sign in before September 20, 2024, otherwise Google will delete your Google Account and associated activity data.”

Winder said he received the warning notice in January this year for a September 2024 shutdown.

This would mean users risk losing their account after just 16 months of inactivity, instead of the 24 months or two years.

How do I protect my account from deletion?

All you have to do to prevent your account from being deleted is interact with it – for example, by opening an email or watching a YouTube clip.

Anyway, it should be pretty easy to save your account, if you really need it.

Why does Google delete accounts?

Google has been trying to remove unnecessary accounts from its system since May 2023, but why?

Well, old, infrequently used accounts can be a haven for hackers and phishing campaigns because the user or Google can't stop unauthorized access if it goes undetected.

They also mean that Google stores unnecessary data on its servers, which in turn costs more money and energy.

In a blog post published last summer, Google's Ruth Kricheli explains: “People want the products and services they use online to be safe.

“If an account has not been used for an extended period of time, it is more likely to be compromised.

“This is because forgotten or unmanaged accounts often rely on old or reused passwords that may have been compromised, do not have two-factor authentication set up, and are subject to fewer user security checks.”