Criticism Arises as Google Plans to Remove Inactive Accounts

Google announced in May that it would start deleting inactive accounts starting in December. This move serves as a warning to users with multiple logins. Recently, Google has been sending reminder emails to users about the upcoming deletion of stagnant accounts.

Some critics have voiced their concerns about Google’s strategy. Sabrina Meherally, CEO of Canadian design firm Pause and Effect, shared her thoughts in a LinkedIn post last week. She expressed dissatisfaction with the vague subject line of the email, stating that important consequences should be explicitly stated. Meherally mentioned that she could have easily missed or deleted the email among the many she receives.

Meherally proposed that a banner on Google.com could be a more effective way to notify users. As it stands, users often have multiple accounts for various purposes, such as using different email addresses and separating online files. However, for Google, providing storage space for free accounts comes at a cost. With a focus on profitability this year, Google is taking steps to address this issue.

Although Google’s new account deletion policy targets inactive personal accounts, it does not apply to schools, businesses, or paying subscribers of Google services. In a blog post from 2020, Google stated that the standard 15GB storage allotment should be sufficient for at least three years for 80% of account holders.

Maintaining an inactive account requires minimal effort from users. They simply need to sign in at least once every two years. Google’s objective with the account purge is to prevent attackers from taking over neglected accounts. The company has promised to send multiple notifications to users before deleting their accounts.

Ruth Kricheli, a Google Vice President, explained in a post that abandoned accounts are more vulnerable to hacking due to outdated or reused passwords, lack of two-factor authentication, and fewer security checks. Google wants to promote the use of active accounts with strong security measures like 2-step verification.

A Google spokesperson clarified that this is the first time the company is implementing such a policy. Microsoft also has a similar policy where users need to sign in at least once every two years to keep their accounts active.

This trend of focusing on cost reduction is not unique to Google. Other tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta have also shifted their priorities to lowering expenses and reducing dependence on growth.

Skeptics have raised questions about the logic behind Google’s account deletion policy. A developer named Chris Beiser criticized the decision, comparing it to burning a bank’s money to prevent a robbery. Emmett Shear, co-founder of Twitch, expressed concerns about the potential loss of old YouTube videos but Google clarified that they have no plans to delete accounts with YouTube videos.

Stephanie Murphy, a parent, used TikTok to express her disappointment with Google’s approach. She shared how she created an account for her daughter, which she only uses to send emails for her daughter to read in the future. Murphy received the account deletion email and expressed her frustration in a video.