Google will start deleting accounts in December. Learn how to keep yours active
Don’t Let Your Google Account Disappear – Here’s How to Keep It Alive
Do you have a Google account that you haven’t used in a while? If so, you need to take action before the end of the week to prevent it from being deleted.
Under Google’s updated inactive-account policy, accounts that have been inactive for at least two years are at risk of being erased. The tech giant announced this policy back in May, citing security concerns.
Starting Friday, Google will begin deleting inactive accounts in a phased approach. If you have an account that falls into this category, you should receive multiple notices from Google sent to the email associated with that account.
But if you’re not up to speed on this new policy and want to ensure that your content on Google Drive, Docs, Gmail, and more is saved, here’s what you need to know:
Why is Google Deleting Inactive Accounts?
In their announcement, Google explained that inactive accounts are more susceptible to security breaches. These accounts often have outdated passwords, lack two-factor authentication, and receive fewer security checks. As a result, they can be hijacked for malicious purposes, such as spamming or identity theft.
How Can I Prevent My Account from Being Deleted?
The easiest way to keep your Google account active is to sign in at least once every two years. Additionally, engaging in various activities while signed into your Google account, such as sending emails, using Google search, and watching YouTube videos, will fulfill the account activity requirements.
Preserving content on Google Photos requires specific sign-in activity. Make sure to open the application periodically to prevent your images from being deleted.
Are There Any Exceptions to This Policy?
This inactive-account update only applies to personal Google accounts that have been inactive for two years or more. Accounts created for organizations, such as schools or companies, will not be affected. Other exceptions include accounts managing active minor accounts, accounts with gift card balances, and accounts used for ongoing purchases of Google products, apps, or subscriptions.
Accounts with YouTube videos will not be deleted, as confirmed by a Google representative.
Can I Save Data from My Google Account?
In addition to keeping your account active, Google provides tools to manage and backup your data. Google Takeout allows you to download and export account data outside of Google at any time. The Inactive Account Manager feature lets you choose what happens to your account and data if it becomes inactive, including options to send select files to trusted contacts or delete the account entirely.
Google also has policies in place to assist with the closure of accounts belonging to deceased individuals and to provide account content to immediate family members on a case-by-case basis.
Remember to provide and update a recovery email for your account to receive important notifications.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
The post Google to Begin Deleting Accounts in December – Here’s How to Keep Yours Alive appeared first on The Western Journal.
What happens to my data if my Google account is deleted?
Quires a slightly different approach. To prevent your photos and videos from being deleted, you should either upload new content or download and save existing content at least once every two years. This ensures that your Google Photos account remains active and your cherished memories are not lost.
What Happens if My Account Is Deleted?
If your inactive account is deleted, you will lose access to all the data and content associated with that account. This includes emails, files stored on Google Drive, documents on Google Docs, photos and videos on Google Photos, and any other data stored within Google’s services. Once the account is deleted, it cannot be recovered, so it is crucial to take action and prevent this from happening if you wish to retain your data.
How Can I Recover a Deleted Account?
If your account has already been deleted due to inactivity, it is unfortunately not possible to recover it. Google’s policy clearly states that once an account is deleted, all data associated with that account is also permanently deleted. Therefore, it is essential to regularly sign in and engage with your Google account to avoid such situations.
Conclusion
Don’t let your Google account disappear – take action now to keep it alive. With Google’s updated inactive-account policy in effect, it is crucial to stay active and engaged with your account to prevent deletion. Signing in at least once every two years and engaging in various activities within your Google account will help ensure its continued existence. Remember to regularly upload, download, or engage with your content to preserve it and avoid the risk of losing precious data. Take charge of your Google account’s safety and security to stay connected and safeguard your digital world.
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