In a bid to bolster user security and mitigate potential risks, Google has announced revisions to its inactive account policy. Effective this Friday, Google will initiate the removal of accounts with no activity over the past two years. This proactive approach aligns with Google's broader strategy to protect users from security breaches and malicious activities, particularly targeting inactive accounts vulnerable to compromise and identity theft.

To prevent account removal, users must log in at least once every two years. Google defines 'account activity' broadly, encompassing email interactions, searches, YouTube video views, and Google subscriptions. It's important to note that this policy exclusively applies to personal accounts.

Certain accounts are exempt from this policy, including those owned by organizations, accounts managing minors, holding gift card balances, and those linked to ongoing purchases or subscriptions. Google has assured users that accounts containing YouTube videos will not be deleted.

Google recommends users utilize tools like Google Takeout for exporting their data and the Inactive Account Manager to specify the handling of their data in the future. Additionally, users are urged to maintain an updated recovery email for seamless account recovery in case of deletion.

This proactive step by Google underlines its commitment to user security and emphasizes the importance of account activity to safeguard against potential threats. Users are encouraged to stay informed and take necessary actions to manage and protect their accounts effectively.