In this digital age, it can feel like our ability to delete things has disappeared. Emails pile up in overflowing inboxes, old online profiles linger long after we’ve stopped using them, and our hard drives constantly max out no matter how often we try to clear space. With so much of our information stored indefinitely in the cloud, deleting things for good seems to be a thing of the past.
Why does everything stick around?
There are a few key reasons why deleting things permanently is so difficult these days:
- Data is valuable. Companies want to collect as much data as possible about their users, so they have little incentive to let you erase it completely. The more they know about you, the more effectively they can target products, ads, and services.
- Backups are common. Cloud services and other programs often automatically back up your data for recovery purposes. So even if you delete something, copies of it may exist in a backup file.
- Recovery is possible. Unless you completely overwrite a file, forensic experts may be able to recover “deleted” data from storage devices. This makes permanent deletion very difficult.
- Laws require retention. Regulations like financial reporting laws often require companies to retain certain records for set periods of time. This makes it legally risky for them to allow you to erase your data.
Essentially, the system is stacked against true deletion these days. Companies have an incentive to keep your data, and technology makes it possible for them to retain it indefinitely, whether you want them to or not.
Examples of things that stick around
This trend of making deletion difficult manifests itself in many areas of digital life:
Email is a prime example of how deletion has become ineffective. On most email providers like Gmail or Outlook, deleting an email only removes it from your inbox view—the provider still keeps a copy on its servers. Unless you specifically request for it to be purged, it’s essentially there forever.
Social media
Social networks make it notoriously difficult to remove your personal data. Facebook and others allow you to “deactivate” your account, but full deletion is quite challenging. There have even been cases where deleted Facebook data was later exposed in data breaches.
Online storage
Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud retain files even after you delete them from your synced folders or trash bin. There is often a set retention period before they are fully removed from their servers.
Smart devices
Smart home gadgets like Amazon Alexa, Google Nest, and baby monitors are always listening and recording. They keep these recordings as data—and even if you delete a recording, the company may still have access to it.
Browsers
Browsers like Chrome retain your browsing history, cache, and cookies long after you’ve deleted them locally on your own device. You need to clear them through provider settings to fully remove them from their records.
Mobile apps
When you remove an app from your device, the provider likely still has data about your usage and activity within the app stored on its servers. Uninstalling locally does not necessarily delete your data from their systems.
What kind of data sticks around?
All kinds of personal data are prone to sticking around these days:
- User content: Emails, documents, photos, videos, social posts, etc.
- Metadata: Timestamps, geotags, digital signatures, author info, etc.
- Behavioral data: Browsing history, search terms, clicks and taps, etc.
- Account info: Usernames, passwords, contact details, settings, etc.
- Biometric data: Fingerprints, face and voice recognition data, etc.
- Device data: Hardware identifiers, usage logs, WiFi access points, etc.
This abundant data is highly valuable to companies, and nearly all of it remains recoverable even if you try to delete it.
How long do deleted files stick around?
There is no set universal standard for how long “deleted” files hang around. Every provider and system has its own policies and procedures. Here are some examples:
| Provider/Platform | Deleted File Retention |
|---|---|
| Gmail | Up to 30 days in trash before permanent deletion |
| Outlook.com | Up to 60 days in deleted items folder |
| Slack | Up to 90 days before permanent deletion |
| Apple iCloud | Up to 40 days in trash before permanent deletion |
| Up to 90 days after requesting account deletion | |
| Amazon Alexa | Indefinite storage of call transcripts and recordings |
As you can see, retention periods vary widely across platforms. But the overall trend is keeping data for as long as possible, even if a user tries to remove it.
Are deletions ever really permanent?
With the right forensic recovery methods, almost no data deletion can be considered absolutely permanent. However, there are a few circumstances in which deletions can be near-impossible to recover from:
- Overwriting: If a file is directly overwritten bit-by-bit with new data, recovery becomes vastly more difficult.
- Physical destruction: If the physical storage device is damaged or destroyed, such as by smashing or burning, deletion becomes permanent.
- Encryption: If a drive is fully encrypted, securely deleted files essentially become irretrievable.
Aside from these scenarios, however, almost any “deleted” file can potentially be recovered by someone determined enough to do so. It just requires varying levels of effort and resources.
Can I manually make deletions permanent?
There are a few manual steps you can take to try to make your data deletions more permanent:
- Use data wiping software that overwrites files multiple times.
- Encrypt drives fully before deleting sensitive files.
- Physically destroy old storage devices you don’t use anymore.
- Clear browser cookies and cash frequently and disable history tracking.
- Disable auto-backups to ensure deleted files aren’t retained.
- Carefully read privacy policies and opt-out of data collection when possible.
However, with most cloud services and smart devices, your control is still very limited. The companies control what data gets retained, not you.
The nuclear option: Just stay offline
The only way to regain full control over your data is to go completely offline. If you have no Internet access, your data can’t be silently uploaded and stored on servers and in the cloud. But for most people, disconnecting entirely simply isn’t viable in the digital age.
Why being unable to delete data matters
The inability to permanently delete data has some troubling implications:
- Privacy risks: Lingering data means more opportunities for hacking, breaches, and surveillance.
- Anxiety and uncertainty: Users feel a lack of control and uncertainty over what happens to their data.
- Power imbalance: Individuals have very little leverage over companies retaining their data.
- Practical annoyances: Life is harder when you can’t effectively delete clutter and mistakes.
In short, permanent deletion allows for both privacy and convenience. Without it, users are constrained and vulnerable.
Will we ever get our ability to delete back?
Given how immensely valuable personal data is to tech companies, it seems unlikely that the ability to permanently delete will ever become meaningfully easier. A few potential changes could shift the landscape slightly though:
- New data privacy laws requiring companies to comply with deletion requests.
- Tools that empower individuals to control their data and deletion better.
- Public pressure campaigns against companies over privacy issues.
- More companies offering deletion as a selling point for privacy-focused products.
Realistically though, your data is likely to stick around indefinitely unless you go completely offline. Overall, tech companies have little incentive to make deletion easy. They want to collect as much data as possible—and keep it as long as possible too.
Coping with non-deletion
Since permanent deletion seems to be a thing of the past, the best approach is to find ways to cope with non-deletion:
- Carefully curate what content you put online whenever possible.
- Frequently clear browser data, cookies, caches, and histories.
- Use a VPN, private browsers, and anonymous accounts when warranted.
- Encrypt sensitive data to make it inaccessible.
- Read privacy policies closely and opt out of data collection.
- Delete local copies of data even if cloud copies persist.
Staying diligent to minimize your digital footprint and leverage privacy tools can help you gain some control. But accept that your data likely won’t be deleted for good any time soon.
Conclusion
Permanent deletion feels almost impossible in our digital world. Companies have little incentive to allow you to fully erase your data when keeping it benefits their interests. Laws also often mandate retention of certain records. Recovering “deleted” files is just too easy using modern technology. While this non-deletion reality raises concerns for privacy and control, your only real options are to minimize your online data footprint or disconnect from the internet entirely. Until companies’ priorities change, your ability to hit delete and really mean it seems unlikely to return.