Your Backup Gmail Account Could Disappear This Week

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Remember that old Gmail account you set up to collect spam a long time ago? It could get caught in a Google security purge of epic proportions, starting today.

Learn why and when it's happening – and how to protect your Google emails, files, videos and more from disappearing into the digital ether.

Dormant Gmail accounts can be security threats

Back in May 2023, Google posted a hugely consequential safety and security update to its company blog The Keyword. In the update, Google noted that their users crave safety and security, and that accounts unused for long periods of time are more likely to be compromised.

From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance

Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just ~~$107.88~~ $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues

CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE

https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/y99mlvgqmn1763972420.png

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

This higher hacking risk factor comes from accounts having older passwords, lacking two-factor security, and receiving less attention to odd account behavior from users. Google ran an analysis of user accounts that showed dormant accounts are 10 times less likely to have two-factor authentication than active accounts.

Once an intruder takes control of a Google account, they can use it to send spam to the account's contacts and other random internet users. The unwanted user could even perpetrate identity theft on the unaware account owner.

Google previously let accounts stay dormant for an extended number of years with no activity, but no more.

Which accounts will be purged?

Google will delete dormant Gmail accounts and other Google properties including Docs, Drive, Meet, Calendar and Google Photos. Google accounts will only be affected if they haven't been used or signed into for at least 2 years.

So think long and hard - how long has it been since you've checked on that spam-eater Gmail account? Or looked at your Google Photos? Chances are those old accounts are perilously close to getting the ax.

Google clarifies that their new account retention policy only applies to personal Google Accounts and will not affect business or school accounts. The company claims it is bowing to industry standards on account retention and deletion, as well as reducing the amount of time it keeps users' private data on file.

Timeline for affected users

Since the announcement in May, Google has sent a series of warnings to the user accounts themselves and their associated recovery email address. If these notices go unheeded, Google will delete the entire account.

While the policy officially took effect on May 16, the first accounts in Google's priority list will be deleted beginning today, December 1, according to CNN.

The first accounts to go will be those that were created and never actually used, followed by accounts with more regular usage patterns.

So if you've never logged into your account, consider this your final warning. Others with more sporadic use may have a longer grace period, but Google will still wipe their accounts eventually absent any user action.

@kiplingerfinance
♬ original sound - Kiplinger

How to keep your Google accounts active

Users have a few simple options to keep their accounts active and exempt from Google's deactivation sweeps. Log into your dormant Google account and try any of the following steps:

Search for anything via Google Search
Use the Google Play Store to download a new app
Use Google Drive to store or access files
Watch a video on YouTube while logged into your account
Send or read an email in your Gmail inbox
Sign into a third party service using Sign in with Google

Ben Demers manages digital content and engagement at Kiplinger, informing readers through a range of personal finance articles, e-newsletters, social media, syndicated content, and videos. He is passionate about helping people lead their best lives through sound financial behavior, particularly saving money at home and avoiding scams and identity theft. Ben graduated with an M.P.S. from Georgetown University and a B.A. from Vassar College. He joined Kiplinger in May 2017.