Google will start deleting 'inactive' accounts in December; Here''s what you need to know
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New York (AP): Have a Google account you haven't used in a while? If you want to keep it from disappearing, you should sign in before the end of the week.
Under Google's updated inactive account policy, which the tech giant announced back in May, accounts that haven't been used in at least two years could be deleted. Accounts deemed inactive could be erased beginning Friday.
If you have an account that's deemed "inactive" and at risk for deletion, you should receive notices from Google sent to the email affiliated with that account and its recovery address (if one exits). But if you're still catching up on this new policy and want to ensure that your content on Google Drive, Docs, Gmail and more is saved here's what you need to know.
WHY IS GOOGLE DELETING INACTIVE ACCOUNTS
In May's announcement, Google credited its inactive account update to security issues.
Accounts that haven't been used for a long time are more likely to be compromised, the company said noting that "forgotten or unattended accounts" typically have old passwords, often lack two-factor authentication and receive fewer security checks. As a result, these accounts could be hijacked and used for spam or other malicious content, as well as identity theft.
HOW CAN I PREVENT MY ACCOUNT FROM BEING DELETED?
The easiest way to keep your Google account active (and thus prevent it from being deleted) is to sign in at least once every two years.
Other actions that fulfill account activity requirements include sending or scrolling through emails, using Google search and watching YouTube videos (YouTube is owned by Google) all while signed into your Google account. Existing subscriptions set up through your Google account, including profiles for third-party apps and publications, can also account for activity.
Preserving content on Google Photos requires a specific sign-in. As previously announced by Google, Photos content may be similarly deleted after two years of inactivity meaning you should open the application every so often to keep images from going into the trash.
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY?
Only personal Google accounts that haven't been used for two years or more will be impacted under this inactive account update. Accounts made for organizations, like schools or companies, will not be affected, Google says.
Per Google's online policy, other exceptions include Google accounts that manage active minor accounts, accounts containing a gift card balance as well as those that have been used to purchase Google products, apps or subscriptions that are ongoing.
As of May's announcement, Google also said there were no plans to delete accounts with YouTube videos. The Associated Press reached out to Google Monday to confirm that's still the case.
CAN I SAVE DATA FROM MY GOOGLE ACCOUNT?
Beyond keeping your Google account active, there's a few tools to help manage and backup your data.
Google Takeout, for example, allows users to download and export account data outside of Google at any time. And its Inactive Account Manager lets you choose what would happen to your account and data if it becomes inactive including options to send select files to trusted contacts or delete the account entirely. Google's online policy also says the company can work with immediate family to close the account of a deceased loved one and/or provide some account content without sharing login credentials on a case-by-case basis.
Google asks users to provide and update a recovery email for their account which is also helpful for sending inactive account notices and other communications.
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Next Chief Justice reacts to allegations of judicial overreach amid criticism from BJP leaders
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court has responded to allegations of judicial overreach following recent comments by BJP leaders regarding its landmark judgment, which set a deadline for the President and Governors to clear Bills passed by the legislature for the second time. Justice BR Gavai, who will take over as Chief Justice next month, addressed the issue after a lawyer raised concerns over violence in West Bengal.
Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain sought directions from the court to deploy paramilitary forces in the region, following violent incidents related to the Waqf Amendment Act protests. The advocate's plea, which was first filed after the post-poll violence in Bengal in 2022, calls for a panel of retired judges to investigate the violence and a report on the displacement of Hindus in Murshidabad.
In response, Justice Gavai remarked, “You want us to issue a writ of mandamus to the President to impose this? As it is, we are facing allegations of encroaching into executive (domain). Please.” His comment indicates that the Supreme Court is closely monitoring the ongoing criticisms, particularly from a section of BJP leaders.
The criticism stems from the Supreme Court’s decision in the Tamil Nadu case, where it ruled that the Governor’s decision to withhold Bills indefinitely was “arbitrary” and violated constitutional norms. The court’s order emphasized that only courts can provide recommendations regarding the constitutionality of Bills and that the Executive should exercise restraint in such matters.
Following this judgment, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey expressed concern over the increasing influence of the judiciary, suggesting that if the Supreme Court continues making decisions on such matters, Parliament and State Assemblies should be shut down. Other BJP leaders, such as Dinesh Sharma and Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, also criticised the court’s actions, with Dhankhar labeling Article 142 as a "nuclear missile" against democratic forces.
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