Google will soon start deleting inactive Gmail boxes: how to avoid losing everything

In a few days, Google will start cleaning up its messaging Gmail by deleting inactive accounts.

While Elon Musk still intends to “release” certain X accounts deemed inactive, the giant Google will also carry out a form of purge of Gmail users. Indeed, as mentioned at the start of the year, the American firm will begin to delete accounts unused for a certain period, for the vast majority of them, forgotten or unmonitored accounts which often rely on old passwords. likely to have been compromised.

Google on the hunt for inactive Gmail accounts

According to Google, an “inactive” account is one that has not been used for a period of two years. The group considers actions such as logging in, reading or sending an email, using Google Drive, watching a YouTube video, sharing photos, downloading an app or still web searching (while connected) are considered activities.

“ Google products reserve the right to delete your data when your account has not been used in connection with this product for a period of 2 years “, stipulates Google in its rules relating to inactive Google accounts.

First deletions to come from 1^er December

The upcoming purge will start from the 1st^er next December. On that date, Google is expected to start deleting many inactive accounts and associated data, namely Google Photos, Google Calendar events, Google Docs and of course emails. Beforehand, Google will send notifications to the accounts concerned and, if applicable, a recovery message.

Note that there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if the account in question was used to purchase something in the Google Play store or if the latter has a gift card with an active balance.

Regarding Gmail, remember that Google has also scheduled the end of the HTML version of the email service. Indeed, from January 2024, it will no longer be possible to switch to the HTML version of Gmail. You have been warned.

Source : Mashable