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Google User Data Purge Warning Confirmed—What You Need To Know
In a move aimed at enhancing the security of user data, Google has confirmed a purge warning affecting millions of users worldwide. The tech giant has been sending emails to affected account holders, informing them that their Timeline location history data in Google Maps will be deleted if they fail to take action.
According to reports, Google’s internal analysis revealed that inactive accounts are 10 times less likely to have two-step verification set up compared to active ones, making them more vulnerable to compromise. In a bid to combat this issue, Google is deleting the data stored by these account holders.
As part of the purge, users will need to take action to preserve their location history data stored on Google Maps. The company has urged account holders to download the Google Maps app to ensure their Timeline data remains intact. Failure to do so will result in automatic deletion of this information in 2025.
Furthermore, Google has also announced that Gmail data, as well as photos and documents stored by users with inactive accounts, will be purged from its servers in a separate move. The company claims this is necessary to improve the security posture of these accounts, citing the significantly reduced likelihood of compromised accounts due to inactive status.
To avoid having their Google accounts deleted, users are advised to sign into their accounts at least once every two years or engage in any activity that triggers account activity, such as reading an email, uploading a photo, or using search functions. Failing to do so will result in the deletion of associated data and potentially compromise account security.
The purge warning serves as a stark reminder for millions of users worldwide to regularly review and maintain their online presence, ensuring the protection of sensitive information stored on Google’s servers.
Source: www.forbes.com
