• Google plans to delete inactive Gmail accounts starting in December.
• Accounts must be active within the last two years to avoid deletion.
• Enabling two-factor authentication can significantly enhance account security.

Gmail users must act soon, as Google plans to potentially delete accounts next month. Following simple guidelines is key to avoiding account deletions, as officially stated by Google.

Google first revealed this new policy earlier in the year, setting December 2023 as the earliest time to start deleting accounts. Users who regularly use Gmail, Docs, Calendar, and Photos need not worry, as their accounts will remain unaffected.

Google has verified that only accounts inactive for two years will be deleted.

“If a Google account has not been used or signed into for at least 2 years, we may delete the account and its contents, including content within Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar), and Google Photos.”

If your account has been dormant for more than 2 years, Google will send notifications to both your email and recovery email several months before deletion. This precaution is taken for security reasons, as old and inactive accounts are more susceptible to scams, according to the search engine giant.

Google says: “This is because forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or re-used passwords that may have been compromised, haven’t had two-factor authentication set up, and receive fewer security checks by the user.”

Google’s research reveals that inactive accounts are at least ten times less likely to have 2-step verification enabled compared to active accounts.

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Google underscores that incorporating this security measure greatly raises the challenge for scammers and fraudsters trying to illicitly access accounts globally. These details are outlined in Google’s security documentation and guidelines, targeting its widespread user community.