Google has announced a new policy that will result in the deletion of accounts that have been inactive for two years, starting in December. The move comes as part of Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance security measures and combat potential threats, including hacks and unauthorized access. It is important to note that this policy change applies exclusively to personal Google Accounts, with organizational accounts such as those used by schools or businesses remaining unaffected.
Under the new policy, if a Google account has not been used or signed into for a minimum of two years, the account may be deleted, along with all associated content within Google Workspace. This encompasses popular services like Gmail, Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar, YouTube, and Google Photos. To ensure users are aware of the upcoming account deletion, Google will send multiple notifications to the account email address and recovery mail of inactive accounts.
This recent development follows in the footsteps of Elon Musk’s announcement regarding Twitter’s plans to remove inactive accounts and archive them. Musk emphasized the importance of freeing up abandoned handles. As online platforms become more conscious of maintaining active and engaged communities, the deletion of inactive accounts has become a common practice.
In a separate development related to data security, a draft document from the European Union (EU) indicates that non-European Union cloud service providers, including tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, will need to establish joint ventures with EU-based companies to obtain an EU cybersecurity label for handling sensitive data. Furthermore, these companies can only hold a minority stake in the joint venture, and employees with access to EU data will need to undergo specific screening and be located within the 27-country bloc.
In other news, Alphabet, the parent company of Google, experienced a drop of over 4 percent in premarket trading following reports that Samsung Electronics was considering replacing Google with Microsoft-owned Bing as the default search engine on its devices. While the implications of such a change remain uncertain, it highlights the competitive landscape and evolving dynamics in the tech industry.
As Google takes proactive steps to address security threats, users are encouraged to stay vigilant and ensure their accounts remain active to avoid any potential disruptions. By regularly accessing and utilizing their personal Google Accounts, users can safeguard their data and enjoy uninterrupted access to essential services provided by Google Workspace.
Note: The information provided in this article is based on current developments and may be subject to change as further updates become available.
For the latest tech news, follow Techbar Nepal on Facebook, and Instagram.
For Digital Products and Services: Maurisys Software.
