Google issues warning: Did you save your Gmail?
It's time to check your junk mail and mark this article as read!
In November 2023, we told you that if you have a Gmail account that you have been neglecting or simply forgot about, you might want to log in and have a look around.
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Google issued an official warning that it was getting rid of unused and inactive Gmail accounts.
The company introduced a policy earlier this year that was going to be set into action at the start of December 2023.
This policy ensures that millions of Gmail accounts are permanently deleted as part of a major update for the platform.
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Accounts that have been dormant for two years or more have been receiving warning notifications before all emails, documents, spreadsheets, calendar appointments, photos, and videos were deleted.
We are updating our inactivity policy for Google Accounts to two years across our products. This update aligns our policy with industry standards around retention and account deletion and also limits the amount of time Google retains your unused personal information.
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While many thought this wasn't a big deal because they were just losing an old email account, it is important to note that other platforms or services connected to this email address are also affected.
The biggest reason for this policy is that it helps prevent users from being victims of hacking, phishing scams, and other security violations.
Even with these protections, if an account hasn’t been used for an extended period of time, it is more likely to be compromised. 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.
If you have noticed that you cannot access a Gmail account then this might be your answer.
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Main image courtesy of iStock/EnDyk