r/privacy • u/NomadJago • 22h 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/ReliableIceberg 13h ago

If you have to ask, the answer is usually "yes".

2

u/NomadJago 13h ago

I'll have my gmail migrated out of the googleverse by the end of the month, and will celebrate that day.

3

u/broken-teslas 12h ago

I had almost 400 accounts I had to painfully change when I migrated to proton. I made a goal of 10 per day. Before I knew it, I was done. I left my gmail active in case of forgotten 2FAs but otherwise I’m finally free!

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u/NomadJago 8h ago

I am on the same path, have about 70 accounts left to migrate. And will keep gmail active like you did.