I really despise auto-delete policies. Obviously, because of the inconvenience and all the context/history/search capability you lose, but also because it's addressing the problem the wrong way. Rather than be accountable for your actions, the company would rather create a system to circumvent the law and sweep the evidence under the rug. Creates a terrible incentive structure. It goes to show that the company is run by lawyers.
Bezos had a great bit he would always say at all hands about this kind of stuff:
"Look, we are a large corporation. We deserve to be inspected. It’s going to happen. Don’t take it personally. Because when you take it personally, you start to do things that are counterproductive.”
"There’s only one way to handle it, and that is that we have to conduct ourselves in such a way that when we are scrutinized, we pass with flying colors.”
That’s all well and good. I still think the quote stands on its own as a great philosophy for how to approach scrutiny as a large business. Philosophy and execution are separate!
Bezos had a great bit he would always say at all hands about this kind of stuff:
"Look, we are a large corporation. We deserve to be inspected. It’s going to happen. Don’t take it personally. Because when you take it personally, you start to do things that are counterproductive.”
"There’s only one way to handle it, and that is that we have to conduct ourselves in such a way that when we are scrutinized, we pass with flying colors.”