Google will start deleting old Gmail accounts next week: how to keep yours safe

Inactive Gmail accounts are set to be permanently deleted

• In May, Google said it plans to start removing inactive accounts in small batches from December 2023 onwards.
• This deletion process will include all data linked to the account, such as emails, Drive files, Photos, Contacts, and other documents.
• Internal data reveals that inactive accounts are significantly less likely to have two-factor authentication enabled compared to active accounts, making them more susceptible to cyberattacks.
• External services connected to a misplaced Gmail account also face the risk of compromise, leading Google to decide to delete accounts unused for the past 2 years.

• Gmail accounts with zero activity over the last 24 months will be categorised as inactive, and not all of them will be removed immediately.
• Once an account is deleted, every associated piece of information, including Google Drive storage, emails, documents, meetings, and other files, will be irreversibly removed.
• However, Google clarified that it does not intend to delete inactive accounts that have YouTube videos.
• This means if you have an old and unused account linked to YouTube with a public video, Google will not delete the account, even if it remains inactive.

Here's how to keep your Gmail account safe from deletion

• Keep your Google account active by reading or sending emails.
• Utilise Google Drive regularly.
• Watch YouTube videos to maintain account activity.
• Download apps from the Google Play Store.
• Conduct searches using Google.
• Use "Sign in with Google" when signing in to third-party apps or services.