Google’s Data Management Initiative: Understanding Recent Changes and What You Need to Know

Google User Data Purge Underway – What You Need to Know

If you’re a Google user, you might want to take immediate action. A new purge of user data is underway, and it’s essential to know what this means for your online presence.

Firstly, let me clarify that the news is not about the usual automatic deletion of unused accounts. No, this time, Google is actively taking steps to delete specific user data – specifically, Google Maps Timeline data. The reason behind this action is to improve security and minimize the risk of unauthorized access.

To avoid losing your Google Maps location history, make sure you’ve downloaded your data by June 2023. You can do so by heading to the Google Takeout page, selecting “Google Maps” under the “Deselect all” dropdown menu, and following the prompts to download your desired files.

It’s crucial to take control of your data today, especially considering another important update from Google regarding inactive accounts. As you may be aware, Google has been rolling out a new policy that deletes user accounts that have not been signed in for over two years.

Don’t panic – this change is intended to improve security and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access. However, it does mean you’ll need to ensure all your accounts are active by regularly signing in or meeting other activity requirements.

To prevent data deletion, sign into each account at least once a month. It’s an easy process that takes just a few minutes.

Moreover, there is another warning – new two-factor authentication (2FA) bypass attacks have been reported, and it’s time to take action.

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring both your password and another verification method, like a code sent to your phone or a fingerprint scan. It’s essential that you enable 2FA on all your accounts if you haven’t done so already.

Furthermore, Google has announced plans to delete inactive Gmail data, as well as photos and docs, in accordance with the inactive account policy update.

To avoid any inconvenience, make sure your Google accounts are active by regularly signing into them. This can be achieved by meeting one of the following requirements:

1. Sign into an email.
2. Use Google Drive.
3. Watch a YouTube video.
4. Share a photo.
5. Download an app.
6. Use Google Search.

Sign in to your account once a month or, if you have multiple accounts, use the process outlined earlier to switch seamlessly between them.

The bottom line – Google is taking steps to improve security and reduce the risk of unauthorized access. It’s essential that users comply with these updates by regularly signing into their accounts and ensuring they are enabled with 2FA.

Don’t let your data go to waste!

Source: www.forbes.com