Google warned users that millions of Gmail accounts would be deleted in December as part of a major platform modification.
Emails, documents, spreadsheets, calendar appointments, images, and videos will all be permanently deleted from any personal Google account that has been dormant for at least two years, according to a report from The Independent.
A logo sits illumintated outside the Google booth on day 2 of the GSMA Mobile World Congress 2019 on February 26, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.
The Gmail deletion policy presented earlier this year is scheduled to go into force in December 2023. By restricting the amount of time Google retains unnecessary personal data, the action seeks to make Google's inactivity policy in compliance with industry norms for retention and online account termination.
"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," Google Vice President of Product Management Ruth Kricheli stated in a May blog post, Yorkshire Live reported.
Enhancing Security Risks Amid Rising Online Threats
Protecting current Google users from security risks like phishing scams and account theft is the main objective of this effort of deleting dormant Gmail accounts, which are susceptible to hacking, especially if they make use of credentials that have been stolen via prior security lapses and are readily accessible on the dark web.
Google guarantees that before any action is taken, Gmail accounts that are in danger of being deleted will get many warnings, including alerts to linked recovery email addresses.
To keep their accounts active, Google recommends staying hooked on and using its online services, like sending or receiving emails, working on Google Drive, searching, installing applications from the Google Play Store, and viewing YouTube videos.
Google also commits to preserving YouTube accounts that have posted videos, regardless of when they were last used.
Google Legal Woes Mount
This update comes as Google faces its second big US antitrust action in two months. This lawsuit concerns accusations that the Google Play Store is monopolizing Android app sales.
AP News recently reported that the video game maker Epic Games has filed the case, claiming that the internet giant is misusing its influence in the market to block competitors and make more money through in-app purchase fees. Google has refuted these claims, claiming that Apple's app store for iPhone applications and other mobile and video game console marketplaces provide serious competition.
In its legal struggle with Epic, Google took a somewhat ironic stance, emphasizing Android's rivalry with Apple and the iPhone. In September, Google faced the biggest US antitrust case in 25 years. That trial centered on the financial deal Google made with Apple to ensure Google's search engine would be the default for the iPhone internet browser.
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