Google wants to delete accounts for inactivity

If you want to enjoy an Android smartphone, YouTube, G-Mail or some other services to the full extent, you cannot avoid creating a Google account. However, the search engine giant has now dropped a real bombshell that should make users who only use their account sporadically sit up and take notice. In a blog post, the tech company says that it has renewed its policy for deleting inactive accounts. Those who do not use their account at Google for two years must therefore expect a deletion.

Google wants to prevent abuse of accounts

The deletion for inactivity is intended to serve one purpose in particular. For example, it is quite popular among cybercriminals to compromise inactive accounts and use them for spam. Identity theft is also possible, which can have severe financial consequences for those attacked. But Google does not only want to protect its users from harm. On top of that, deleting inactive accounts is also an effective cost-saving measure. After all, unused accounts also take up space on the search engine giant’s servers.

• See already? Google Pixel to get dashcam feature

Directive doesn’t apply to all accounts

However, not everyone needs to be afraid of having their Google account deleted for too long of inactivity. According to the new policy, the search engine giant leaves out business accounts, for example. In general, all users who pay a fee for their account are to be left out of the deletion process. This underscores that the tech company is primarily concerned with its own revenue.

Everyone else should simply comply with the activity rules. This is not really difficult. After all, a simple registration is enough to be considered active. The company itself says that you should simply log in every two years if necessary in order to keep your Google account. By the way, it is particularly easy for Android users. Simple check-ins to the smartphone operating system are enough to be considered active.

• Also interesting: Google plans universal translator with lip sync

Google does not delete immediately

If you actually end up not using your Google account for two years, you don’t have to fear immediate deletion. Nevertheless, the search engine giant will mark your account accordingly with the information “inactive for two years”. Google will not implement its new policy until December 2023. From that point on, all marked accounts will be deleted. However, the whole thing should not come as a real surprise for the affected users. The company says that users who are threatened with deletion will be informed several times beforehand.