Google wants to do a big cleanup by deleting millions of Gmail accounts. In May 2023, the American giant updated its Gmail usage policy, stipulating that all accounts not used for more than two years would be automatically deleted. As of December 1st, this announcement will take effect gradually and all users who have not logged in to their accounts will have them deleted and will be unable to recreate an account with the same address.
Did you know ? In 2023, 1.8 billion active users use Gmail
The key: make your account active!
But how do you continue to receive and send emails? To do this, simply log in using your credentials. Once connected, send an email, watch a YouTube video or use Google search! Your account will now be considered active and your personal data associated with Gmail, but also with Google Photos, Google Drive or even YouTube, will not be deleted.
If you still wish to keep your data in another way, we advise you to use Google Takeout, which allows you to download your entire Google account.
Some exceptions
In a note published on its blog, Google announced that this measure only concerned personal accounts and not those of organizational accounts, such as companies, universities or even associations.
In addition, certain accounts unused for two years may escape this deletion. Indeed, if you have purchased a product, an application, a subscription or other via your Google account, it will not be deleted. The same goes for accounts that contain a gift card with a balance.
Protect your account despite everything
Furthermore, be sure to log in to this email address at least every six months, if only to change your passwords, activate double authentication or check that no other person is using it maliciously. Indeed, inactive accounts are more likely to be the target of hackers wishing to steal your information.
Read >> Cybersecurity: how to protect your personal data on the Internet?
LR