Google is always so careful with our data
I'm stunned this happened, stunned I say!
Google potentially allowed former web admins to drive corporate websites off a cliff by resurrecting deleted accounts for its webmaster tools service. Google Webmaster Tools accounts can be used by anyone to manage their websites, from checking the indexing of pages to fine-tuning their visibility in the dominant search engine …
Decades of being wheedled by incompetent users have convinced most developers to ensure that the "delete" button doesn't actually delete anything.
We've been conditioned to retain but flag because when the inevitable request to restore the data comes, it doesn't matter to the user that they clicked OK on the giant flashing "WARNING THIS WILL DELETE THIS INFORMATION WITH NO HOPE OF RECOVERY. CLICK OK ONLY IF YOU REALLY REALLY MEAN IT" message. As far as they're concerned, if the data can't be restored, it's our fault.
Or possibly they are following old-school Unix sysadmin practice, like disabling accounts for ex-members of staff instead of getting rid of them. Not sure why we need all those old /etc/passwd entries from accounts defunct ten years or more ago, but then, I only do Unix part-time.
No, you had it right on the first post. Too damn many users want data recoverable no matter what prior authorization they've given you to delete it.
Some years back when I was working a different help desk, one of the decision makers came to our sys admins with a backup of a single app from a server that was 6 years decommissioned, wiped, and thrown in the trash. They wanted to know if it could be restored because the data on it would help them bid a proposal we just received. By some miracle one of the sys admins was able to restore the data and allow the decision maker access to the data. (Not sure whether or not we won the bid.) This person at least acknowledged IT had been authorized to do away with the server and all its data. Too often its expected that you can restore it regardless of circumstances.