As 2025 approaches, Google may delete your Gmail account: Google returns to warn of a change in policy
Google has announced a major change to its inactivity policies, which will affect Gmail accounts that have not been used for a long time. The change responds to the growing focus on online security and the need to protect users from threats such as identity theft, spam, and phishing.
- Why will Google delete accounts?
Google explained in a statement that while it has invested in tools to protect users from cyber threats, inactive accounts are more vulnerable. Forgotten accounts often rely on old passwords, lack two-factor authentication, and receive fewer security checks from their owners.
“This is because forgotten or unattended accounts often rely on old or reused passwords that may have been compromised, have two-factor authentication not configured, and receive fewer security checks from the user,” the company says.
According to Google's internal analysis, inactive accounts are 10 times less likely to have two-step verification enabled, making them an easy target for cybercriminals.
Additionally, Google noted that once an account is compromised, it can be used for various malicious purposes, such as stealing personal information or spreading spam. In order to mitigate these risks and align with industry standards regarding account retention and deletion, Google decided to implement this new policy.
- Who will be affected by this measure?
The new inactivity policy will exclusively affect personal Google accounts, i.e. those linked to services like Gmail, Google Drive, Google Photos, and more.
Organizational accounts, such as business or school accounts, will not be affected by this action. If you haven't signed in to your Google Account for more than two years, Google reserves the right to delete it and its content.
This update also aims to reduce the amount of time Google retains unused personal information, which will help protect user privacy and keep the platform more secure.
- How to avoid account deletion in 2025?
The easiest way to maintain an active account is to log in at least once every two years.
When you perform any action on your Google Account, such as reading or sending emails, using Google Drive, watching videos on YouTube, downloading apps from Google Play, or performing a Google search, the account will be considered active.
Additionally, Google suggests using features like “Sign in with Google” to access third-party apps or services, which is also considered activity. If any of these actions are performed regularly, the account is not at risk of deletion.
- Additional precautions
While signing in to your account every two years is the easiest way to prevent deletion, it's a good idea to follow good security practices, such as turning on two-step verification. This will protect your account from unauthorized access and contribute to the overall security of your information online.