Google to delete some Gmail accounts in days – how to tell if yours is at risk

GOOGLE users have been reminded that forgotten accounts with potentially precious data could be lost as the firm continues with a major purge.

Last year, the tech giant announced that it will delete disused Google and Gmail accounts.

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The move affects accounts that are inactive for two years.

Inactive means you haven’t logged onto any of the Google services, such as Gmail or Google Photos, within that time period.

Google usually sends several warning emails before it goes ahead with deletion.

A reporter for Forbes has revealed how he received a warning in January.

The email said his Google account would be deleted on September 20 unless action was taken.

With the deadline approaching fast, other Google and Gmail users have been urged to check accounts now in case they too received the same email and forgot.

Remember, Google Accounts aren’t just for Gmail.

They can be used for Docs, Drive cloud storage and YouTube too.

Anyone who uses their Gmail account regularly need not worry.

But if you have an old Google Account with precious photos you’ve uploaded or important emails you need to keep, you might want to check in on it.

The move is designed to purge Google’s systems of insecure accounts, as two years of inactivity would mean you haven’t updated your password in a long while.

“If an account hasn’t been used for an extended period of time, it is more likely to be compromised,” Ruth Kricheli VP, Product Management at Google said last year.

You can check your recovery account for an email warning you about the move.

Fortunately, there is a way to avoid any such action immediately with or without a recovery account.

And all you need to do is log into your Google Account.