Google to Start Removing 'Inactive' User Accounts
2023-11-30
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1Google is about to start deleting accounts considered "inactive."
2The company plans to start removing inactive accounts that users have not used or signed into for more than two years on December 1.
3Google announced the policy in May, saying it could begin removing affected accounts in December 2023.
4User data that could be deleted includes content stored within Google Drive, Docs, Gmail and other services.
5Google says users with accounts at risk of being deleted should have already received email messages explaining the policy and the steps required to keep accounts active.
6The company said the deletion process will start with Google accounts that were created, but never used again.
7Google is urging users who want to save their accounts and related data to take some form of action by the end of this week.
8Google has said its policy to delete old, unused accounts is designed to remove security risks related to those accounts.
9In its announcement, Google said accounts that go long periods of time without activity are "more likely to be compromised."
10The reasons for this include the fact that forgotten or unused accounts often depend on old or reused passwords.
11Another thing that puts such accounts at risk is the lack of two-step security processes that became popular in recent years to help users keep their accounts secure.
12This security tool, called "two-factor authentication," aims to reduce the risk of internet attackers taking over personal accounts and stealing data.
13In addition, old and unused accounts "receive fewer security checks by the user," Google said.
14Google says the best way to keep a user account active is to sign into it at least once every two years.
15But there are some other actions that meet the requirements for keeping a Google account active.
16These include sending or looking at emails, using Google search and watching videos on Google-owned YouTube.
17The user must be signed in to their Google account when performing these actions.
18The policy covers Google Photos as well. The company explains that the simplest way to avoid losing saved pictures and videos is "to visit Google Photos on the web or through the app."
19When signed in, users just need to perform some activity.
20For example, they can look through an image collection, share a photo or video or back up content in Photos.
21Google says it only plans to delete old or unused accounts for personal users.
22Accounts that were set up for organizations, such as schools or businesses, will not be affected.
23Other exceptions include Google accounts controlled by an adult for a child or accounts that have been used to buy goods or services on an ongoing basis.
24Google has also noted there are no current plans to delete accounts with YouTube videos.
25Google does offer users some tools to help them save and backup stored data.
26One of them is called Takeout.
27This service permits users to download and export account data outside of Google at any time.
28An account holder can use this method to back up stored data or to use it with a service outside of Google.
29In addition, Google offers a tool, called Inactive Account Manager, which permits users to choose what would happen to their accounts and data if it does become inactive.
30The choices for activating this service include having files sent to a set of trusted contacts or requesting that the whole account be deleted.
31Google also asks that all its users provide a recovery email for their account.
32This can be an important method for getting a user back into a locked account and can also be helpful for sending inactive account messages and other communications.
33I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Google is about to start deleting accounts considered "inactive." 2The company plans to start removing inactive accounts that users have not used or signed into for more than two years on December 1. 3Google announced the policy in May, saying it could begin removing affected accounts in December 2023. User data that could be deleted includes content stored within Google Drive, Docs, Gmail and other services. 4Google says users with accounts at risk of being deleted should have already received email messages explaining the policy and the steps required to keep accounts active. 5The company said the deletion process will start with Google accounts that were created, but never used again. Google is urging users who want to save their accounts and related data to take some form of action by the end of this week. 6Why is Google deleting inactive accounts? 7Google has said its policy to delete old, unused accounts is designed to remove security risks related to those accounts. 8In its announcement, Google said accounts that go long periods of time without activity are "more likely to be compromised." The reasons for this include the fact that forgotten or unused accounts often depend on old or reused passwords. 9Another thing that puts such accounts at risk is the lack of two-step security processes that became popular in recent years to help users keep their accounts secure. This security tool, called "two-factor authentication," aims to reduce the risk of internet attackers taking over personal accounts and stealing data. 10In addition, old and unused accounts "receive fewer security checks by the user," Google said. 11How can I prevent my account from being deleted? 12Google says the best way to keep a user account active is to sign into it at least once every two years. 13But there are some other actions that meet the requirements for keeping a Google account active. These include sending or looking at emails, using Google search and watching videos on Google-owned YouTube. The user must be signed in to their Google account when performing these actions. 14The policy covers Google Photos as well. The company explains that the simplest way to avoid losing saved pictures and videos is "to visit Google Photos on the web or through the app." When signed in, users just need to perform some activity. For example, they can look through an image collection, share a photo or video or back up content in Photos. 15Are there any exceptions to the policy? 16Google says it only plans to delete old or unused accounts for personal users. Accounts that were set up for organizations, such as schools or businesses, will not be affected. 17Other exceptions include Google accounts controlled by an adult for a child or accounts that have been used to buy goods or services on an ongoing basis. 18Google has also noted there are no current plans to delete accounts with YouTube videos. 19How can I save data from my Google account? 20Google does offer users some tools to help them save and backup stored data. One of them is called Takeout. This service permits users to download and export account data outside of Google at any time. An account holder can use this method to back up stored data or to use it with a service outside of Google. 21In addition, Google offers a tool, called Inactive Account Manager, which permits users to choose what would happen to their accounts and data if it does become inactive. The choices for activating this service include having files sent to a set of trusted contacts or requesting that the whole account be deleted. 22Google also asks that all its users provide a recovery email for their account. This can be an important method for getting a user back into a locked account and can also be helpful for sending inactive account messages and other communications. 23I'm Bryan Lynn. 24The Associated Press and Google reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. 25______________________________________________ 26Words in This Story 27delete - v. to remove something, especially from a computer's memory 28compromise - v. to agree to something that is not exactly what you want 29app - n. a small computer program that can be put onto a mobile phone or other electronic device