The National Freedom of Information Coalition (NFOIC) has contacted Google about Gmail’s new “self-destructing” email feature, which could allow government employees to delete public records subject to federal and state open government and freedom of information laws.
In an open letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, NFOIC board President Mal Leary cited that most states have clear record-retention laws aimed at making sure public records, electronic and otherwise, such as official correspondence between public officials, are secured and maintained.