We are writing to let you know that we recently announced new storage policies for Google Accounts using Gmail,Google Drive (including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, and Jamboard files) and/or Google Photos that bring us in line with industry practices. Since you have previously used one or more of these products in your Google Account storage, we wanted to tell you about the new policies well before they go into effect on June 1, 2021. Below is a summary of the new policies. Please reference our Help Center article for a complete list of what’s changing.We are writing to let you know that we recently announced new storage policies for Google Accounts using Gmail,Google Drive (including Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, Forms, and Jamboard files) and/or Google Photos that bring us in line with industry practices. Since you have previously used one or more of these products in your Google Account storage, we wanted to tell you about the new policies well before they go into effect on June 1, 2021. Below is a summary of the new policies. Please reference our Help Center article for a complete list of what’s changing.
Summary of the new policies (effective June 1, 2021):
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If you’re inactive for 2 years(24 months) in Gmail,Drive or Photos, we may delete the content in the product(s) in which you’re inactive. Google One members who are within their storage quota and in good-standing will not be impacted by this new inactive policy.If you’re inactive for 2 years(24 months) in Gmail,Drive or Photos, we may delete the content in the product(s) in which you’re inactive. Google One members who are within their storage quota and in good-standing will not be impacted by this new inactive policy.
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If you exceed your storage limit for 2 years, we may delete your content across Gmail,Drive and Photos.
What this means for you:
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You won’t be impacted by these changes unless you’ve been inactive or over your storage limit for 2 years. As this policy goes into effect June 1, 2021, the earliest it would be enforced is June 1, 2023.
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After June 1, 2021, if you are either inactive or over your storage limit, we will send you email reminders and notifications in advance and prior to deleting any content.
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Even if you are either inactive or over your storage limit for one or more of these services and content is deleted, you will still be able to sign in.
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Note: The inactivity and over quota storage policies will apply only to consumer users of Google services. Google Workspace,G Suite for Education and G Suite for Nonprofits policies are not changing at this time, and admins should look to the Admin Help center for storage policies related to their subscriptions.Note: The inactivity and over quota storage policies will apply only to consumer users of Google services. Google Workspace,G Suite for Education and G Suite for Nonprofits policies are not changing at this time, and admins should look to the Admin Help center for storage policies related to their subscriptions.
Learn more about how to keep your account active
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To learn more about how to remain active with these products, visit this Help Center page.To learn more about how to remain active with these products, visit this Help Center page.
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The Inactive Account Manager can help you manage specific content and notify a trusted contact if you stop using your Google Account for a certain period of time (between 3-18 months). Note: the new 2 year inactive policy will apply regardless of your Inactive Account Manager settings. You can learn more about these changes and ways to manage your or a loved one’s account in our Help Center.The Inactive Account Manager can help you manage specific content and notify a trusted contact if you stop using your Google Account for a certain period of time (between 3-18 months). Note: the new 2 year inactive policy will apply regardless of your Inactive Account Manager settings. You can learn more about these changes and ways to manage your or a loved one’s account in our Help Center.
You can use the free storage manager in the Google One app and on the web to see how you’re using your Google Account storage, and free up space across Gmail,Google Drive, and Google Photos.You can use the free storage manager in the Google One app and on the web to see how you’re using your Google Account storage, and free up space across Gmail,Google Drive, and Google Photos.
We’re improving our Terms of Service and making them easier for you to understand. The changes will take effect on March 31, 2020, and they won’t impact the way you use Google services.
Improved readability: While our Terms remain a legal document, we’ve done our best to make them easier to understand, including by adding links to useful information and providing definitions.
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Better communication: We’ve clearly explained when we’ll make changes to our services (like adding or removing a feature) and when we’ll restrict or end a user’s access. And we’ll do more to notify you when a change negatively impacts your experience on our services.
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Adding Google Chrome, Google Chrome OS and Google Drive to the Terms: Our improved Terms now cover Google Chrome, Google Chrome OS, and Google Drive, which also have service-specific terms and policies to help you understand what’s unique to those services.
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No changes to our Privacy Policy: We’re not making any changes to the Google Privacy Policy and we haven’t made any changes to the way we treat your information. As a reminder, you can always visit your Google Account to review your privacy settings and manage how your data is used.
And of course, if you don’t agree to our new Terms and what we can expect from each other as you use our services, you can find more information about your options in our Frequently Asked Questions.
