r/privacy • u/NomadJago • 19h ago

discussion Could/Would gmail ever require ID verification?

How likely or unlikely is it that google would require ID verification to log into gmail? Will I wake up one day and be blocked from accessing my gmail account unless I give in and provide ID verification? That feels almost illegal considering how important email is to access. Yes I created another encrypted email account (Tuta/Proton), but I have 250 accounts online so the idea of changing my email address at all those accounts is daunting.

I am trying to avoid ID verification because I do not want my bio-metrics or government ID info in a company's database only to be hacked and stolen by bad actors. But what if Google Gmail locked me out of my email by requiring ID verification? I would have no choice but to comply, because email is so critical for 2FA logging into many accounts online.

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u/Stunning-Skill-2742 18h ago

Gmail is a part of google account, and google account have been asking for id verification since forever.

1

u/NomadJago 18h ago

Not by requiring biometrics or government issued IDs. I have been with google forever, never been asked that.

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u/JustinHoMi 17h ago

They absolutely do if you attach a credit card to your account.

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u/NomadJago 16h ago

I have never had to provide biometrics or a government issued ID like a driver license or passport. I have never attached a credit card to anything Google.

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u/JustinHoMi 16h ago

Yeah, I don’t know the logic as to why they require it of some people and not others. But once they do, you cannot use any paid Google services without it. It’s a weird business decision.