Digital
After 22 years, Google lets users finally change their Gmail IDs
New feature ends long wait, keeps emails and history intact
CALIFORNIA: In a move many users have been waiting years for, Google has begun rolling out a feature that allows people to change their Gmail username without losing their emails or account history.
The update marks a significant shift from Gmail’s long-standing rule where users were stuck with the address they first created. Now, users can switch to a new username while retaining access to their inbox, files, photos and purchase history.
Google said users will not need to create a new account to move away from outdated or awkward email IDs, noting that all existing data remains intact through the transition.
The feature works on an alias-based model. The newly chosen email becomes the primary address, while the old one is retained as an alternate. Messages sent to either address will continue to land in the same inbox, and users can sign in using both credentials.
However, the company has introduced a few guardrails. Users can only change their username once every 12 months and are limited to three changes over the lifetime of the account. The new username must also be available and cannot be reused if previously deleted by another user.
The rollout has begun in phases, starting with users in the United States, with a broader global release expected over time.
There are a few practical considerations. While Google services update automatically, users will need to manually update their email ID on third-party platforms such as banking, streaming or social media services. Devices like Chromebooks may also require a fresh sign-in to ensure seamless syncing.
The timing of the announcement has raised a few eyebrows, given Gmail famously launched on April 1 in 2004. Still, references to official updates and statements from Google leadership, including CEO Sundar Pichai, suggest this is no prank but a genuine platform upgrade.
For millions stuck with legacy usernames, the change offers a fresh start without the hassle, proving that even in tech, second chances do arrive.
Digital
OpenAI names Sanghyun Lee Apac global affairs head
Ex-Google policy leader to steer AI governance and partnerships in region
MUMBAI: OpenAI has appointed Sanghyun Lee as head of Asia Pacific global affairs, bringing in a seasoned policy hand as it deepens engagement across one of the fastest-evolving AI markets.
Based in Singapore, Lee will lead public policy engagement, government relations and strategic partnerships across key Asia Pacific markets, including India, Japan, Korea, Australia and Southeast Asia. His role will centre on shaping how AI is governed and adopted responsibly across the region.
Lee joins OpenAI after nearly nine years at Google, where he held multiple leadership roles in government affairs and public policy. Most recently, he served as global head of key markets for platforms and devices, overseeing regulatory strategy across major markets including the US, EU and Asia.
Reflecting on his transition, Lee described his time at Google as formative. “After nearly nine years at Google, I am closing a chapter that has meant a great deal to me. These were defining years. We navigated regulatory scrutiny, fast-moving policy debates, and moments that demanded calm judgment and steady teamwork,” he said.
At OpenAI, Lee will focus on aligning innovation with policy frameworks, a balancing act that is becoming increasingly critical as AI adoption accelerates worldwide. Lee said, “When a technology is as powerful as AI, progress is not only about innovation. It is also about how thoughtfully we engage with governments, institutions, and communities to help ensure its benefits are shared broadly and responsibly.”
Lee brings more than two decades of experience spanning technology, investments and public policy. His career includes leadership roles at Airbnb, where he worked on regulatory frameworks in Asia, and academic positions at Yonsei University. He is also an alumnus of MIT Sloan School of Management and has contributed to research on AI governance and digital policy.
His appointment comes as OpenAI looks to strengthen its institutional presence globally, with Asia Pacific expected to play a central role in shaping the future of AI regulation and adoption.
As governments and companies race to define the rules of AI, OpenAI’s latest hire signals a clear intent to stay ahead of the policy curve while building trust in a rapidly transforming digital landscape.
