People are angry at Google this week for a policy change. While the company previously allowed people to open and keep accounts forever, starting in December, an account that “hasn’t been used or logged in for at least 2 years” can be removed.
Google says it will send multiple notifications to both the account email address and the recovery email address in the months leading up to account deletion to make sure the person has a chance to sign in and their account store. Once deleted, accounts will not be recycled and the email address will not be used.
It may seem like a drastic change, but it’s not unreasonable. It’s also not out of step with what Apple is doing. In fact, Apple will delete an inactive account much faster than Google and seemingly with less warning. Here’s what Apple says in its iCloud Terms:
In addition, Apple may terminate your Account upon 30 days’ notice via email to the address associated with your Account if (a) your Account has been inactive for one (1) year; or (b) there is a general shutdown of the Service or any part thereof.
Apple explains that terminated accounts “may lose all access to the Service and all parts thereof, including but not limited to your Account, Apple ID, email account, and Content. In addition, over time, Apple will delete information and data stored in or as part of your account(s). Any individual components of the Service that you may have used under separate software license agreements will also be terminated in accordance with those license agreements.”
There are several reports on Apple’s forums that Apple is pushing through this threat, so if you have an older Apple ID, it’s best to log in every few months to make sure Apple doesn’t remove it.
