Google account inactivity

[forkies]

I have received an email from Google "Updating our Google Account inactivity policy" suggesting that accounts not logged into for 2 years will be "inactive" and they will delete them. The main issue is that it states "After a Google Account is deleted, the Gmail address for the deleted account cannot be used again when creating a new Google Account." I assume this is the gmail.com email address and not a custom domain email.

 

I am not able to ascertain if this will impact users synchronised with active directory via GADS. As some of students and staff do not login and use Google accounts regularly, with some not using them for years as this is not our main provider for staff.

 

What is everyone's take on this and has anyone found anything definitive on this?

 

I am assuming accounts synchronised via GADS will be exempt but want to cover myself as it is not very clear and the email has come to my account which is synced via GADS.

[ZeroHour]

I didn’t realise they planned to apply this outwith personal gmail accounts?!?

[RLR]

I would assume this is only personal google accounts. We have several generic accounts that people only have deligate access to and don't actually login to them.

[paulkerton]

I am not able to ascertain if this will impact users synchronised with active directory via GADS. As some of students and staff do not login and use Google accounts regularly, with some not using them for years as this is not our main provider for staff.

 

This applies to "Google accounts" which specifically are those signed up with a gmail.com or personal email address. This doesn't include Workspace because a) you have a subscription in place anyway and b) Google Workspace accounts and Google accounts are separately defined by Google.

 

Anyway, this doesn't count if:

You've got an ongoing sub (Google One or a game subscription for example)

You have a gift card balance

You manage a child's account using Family Link with the account

You've ever purchased a digital item with the account (Film, book etc)