Where do the deleted mail go
When you delete an email, it doesn't just disappear into thin air. Here's what typically happens:
- Local deletion: When you delete an email on your email client (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Apple Mail), it is removed from your local mailbox. The email is no longer visible in your inbox, but it's not necessarily gone forever.
- Server-side deletion: If you're using a web-based email service like Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.com, the deleted email is sent to a "trash" or "deleted items" folder on the server. This folder is usually set to automatically purge emails after a certain period, such as 30 days.
- Purging: The email service provider will periodically purge the trash folder, which means they will permanently delete the emails in that folder. The frequency of purging varies depending on the service provider, but it's usually done daily, weekly, or monthly.
- Data centers: Even after purging, the deleted emails may still exist in data centers or backup systems for a short period. This is because email providers often maintain backup systems to ensure data integrity and compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Data destruction: Eventually, the deleted emails are destroyed or overwritten, making them unrecoverable. This process is usually done using specialized software or hardware that securely erases the data.
It's worth noting that:
- Some email providers, like Gmail, use a "two-step deletion" process, where deleted emails are moved to a "Trash" folder and then permanently deleted after a set period.
- Some email clients, like Microsoft Outlook, allow you to recover deleted emails from the "Deleted Items" folder for a limited time before they're permanently deleted.
- In some cases, deleted emails may be recoverable using specialized software or techniques, but this is not always possible and may be illegal in some jurisdictions.
In summary, deleted emails typically go through a series of steps, including local deletion, server-side deletion, purging, and eventual destruction or overwrite.