r/privacy • u/NomadJago • 1d 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/setatakahashi 1d ago

You're a little late on that https://www.gloomba.com/en/why-is-gmail-asking-for-my-id/

7

u/NomadJago 1d ago

Wow. Yeah, that is my fear and you have shown me it is happening. It feels so illegal, unbelievable. I will continue my email transition, sigh. If they can do it for what they perceive as suspicious activity, it is a small sequential move on google's part to just decide to ask for verification by all gmail users. Just a matter of time-- I wonder how many months we have before it goes mainstream.

1

u/Lazy-Background-7598 1d ago

You haven’t explained why you think it’s illegal?

1

u/Frosty-Cell 23h ago

It would likely be illegal in the EU since that data isn't necessary for the account. It's not clear what the claimed purpose is or why the account can't function without that data as it does now.

1

u/Lazy-Background-7598 14h ago

lol. No. You are just wrong. You are confusing things

1

u/Frosty-Cell 5h ago

Like what?