Google to delete Gmail and Photos accounts in huge purge
Google has announced a major update that will see thousands – potentially even millions – of accounts permanently deleted if they have not been used since 2021. The purge will include Gmail, Drive and Photos accounts that have not been used or signed into for at least two years. In a blog post announcing the update, Google said the new policy was primarily for security reasons, as older accounts are typically more vulnerable to threats like spam, phishing scams and hijacking. “Our internal analysis shows abandoned accounts are at least 10x less likely than active accounts to have 2-step verification set up,” the post stated. “Meaning, these accounts are often vulnerable, and once an account is compromised, it can be used for anything from identity theft to a vector for unwanted or even malicious content, like spam.” The policy will only apply to personal accounts, with those associated with organisations like schools and businesses safe from being deleted. The tech giant said the update will be in effect from this week, however no accounts will be deleted until December 2023. “We will take a phased approach, starting with accounts that were created and never used again,” Google wrote. “Before deleting an account, we will send multiple notifications over the months leading up to deletion, to both the account email address and the recovery email (if one has been provided).” Users can avoid being caught up in the purge by doing as little as reading an email sent to the account, or watching a YouTube video while logged in. Google hosts billions of user accounts, though it did not make public how many of them are inactive. It follows similar announcements from Twitter, with chief executive and owner Elon Musk recently rolling out a similar policy that will see usernames recycled if they are associated with accounts that have not been used “for several years”. Read More ‘Google is done’: World’s most powerful AI chatbot offers human-like alternative to search engines
1970-01-01 08:00
Woman, 97, among those killed in Farmington, New Mexico shooting
She and her 73-year-old daughter were killed by a teenage gunman who shot at random people, police say.
1970-01-01 08:00
Mateu Alemany backs away from Aston Villa deal to stay with Barcelona
Barcelona director of football Matheu Alemany has performed a U-turn on his decision to join Aston Villa.
1970-01-01 08:00
Rishi Sunak u-turns on proposed ban on Chinese institutes
Rishi Sunak had promised to close 30 Chinese state-sponsored Confucius Institutes in the UK.
1970-01-01 08:00
Johnny Depp's movie receives 7-minute standing ovation at Cannes
Johnny Depp was teary eyed after his film's warm welcome at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.
1970-01-01 08:00
Italy to Discuss Leaving China’s Investment Pact With G-7 Allies
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will discuss with Group of Seven allies Italy’s decision on whether to pull out
1970-01-01 08:00
Helen Mirren stuns fans as she debuts blue hair look on opening day of Cannes
Fans of Dame Helen Mirren were left stunned after the actor debuted her bright blue hair at the Cannes Film Festival. The Oscar-winning actress, 77, arrived on the red carpet on the opening day of the 76th annual event on Tuesday (16 May). Mirren wore her hair in a messy updo highlighted with varying shades of blue and turquoise. She paired the look with a floor-length periwinkle gown, which featured folds around the waistline and an elaborate bustle in the back. The actor also carried a black fan with #WorthIt written on it in a nod to her partnership with L’Oreal Paris. Fans have been praising Mirren for experimenting with her hairstyle. “When I go grey I too shall match my hair to my outfit,” wrote one person on Twitter. Canadian fashion expert Lisa Tant wrote: “Helen Mirren turns the blue haired old lady stereotype on its head.” Mirren’s vibrant hair colour was not her first at the international film festival. In 2019 she attended with a shorter cut that was swooped back and dyed pink. She previously told US outlet People magazine that she had been inspired to make the changes after watching reality TV. “I was watching an episode of America’s Next Top Model and there was this little English girl on it,” she said. “She had bright pink hair and she looked so great.” With additional reporting from PA. Read More Vanessa Feltz blasts Ann Widdecombe over 40p cheese sandwich remark Denise Welch recalls losing ‘sense of reality’ from post-natal depression: ‘The most terrifying thing’ Fans aghast after Kanye West’s ‘wife’ Bianca Censori wears cross-shaped body tape Helen Mirren debuts blue hair look on opening day of Cannes Fans aghast after Kanye West’s ‘wife’ Bianca Censori wears cross-shaped body tape Italian designer launches scathing attack on Shein over ‘stolen ideas’
1970-01-01 08:00
Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan says police surrounded his house, arrest imminent
ISLAMABAD Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said police had surrounded has his house and that
1970-01-01 08:00
Abortion debate in South Carolina legislature stretches into second day
Lawmakers in South Carolina will reconvene Wednesday morning after debating for more than 12 hours on a bill that would ban most abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
1970-01-01 08:00
NWSL power rankings week 7: They’ve got Spirit, yes they do
After seven weeks of nonstop action, the NWSL is finally down to just one undefeated team, along with more chaotic shifts in the NWSL Power Rankings.About a third of the way through the season, some teams are finally finding their groove while others are sealing their doom. The Washington Spirit...
1970-01-01 08:00
Is Tiger Woods Playing in the PGA Championship?
Will Tiger Woods be playing at the PGA Championship?
1970-01-01 08:00
USMNT news: Balogun switches, Pulisic to Napoli, Henry next head coach
Today's USMNT news includes a decision that Stars and Stripes fans have been hoping for — Folarin Balogun has made the switch from England to represent the USA. Also, Christian Pulisic has been linked with Napoli and Thierry Henry has been suggested to be the next head coach of the USMNT....
1970-01-01 08:00
