Is Google Account user_id() unique for all time? (i.e. never re-used)

Question

Is user_id() unique for all time?

That is, even if a Google Account is deleted, the user_id() of that deleted account will never appear again in any other user_id, right?

We are clarifying our understanding of this statement from http://code.google.com/appengine/docs/python/users/userclass.html#User_user_id

user_id()

If the email address is associated with a Google account, user_id returns the unique permanent ID of the user, a string. This ID is always the same for the user regardless of whether the user changes her email address.

Is there even a way to change your username? I thought you can just create a new one but the old one stays there. — JohnIdol, Jan 21 '13 at 17:04
The word "permanent" seems to imply that yes, this is for all time. — Sologoub, Jan 21 '13 at 17:41

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited May 23 '17 at 10:34

6

Yes it is. It is a String of digits that is immutable to your email changes etc. Other properties such as email, nickname and other properties are mutable.

EDIT

It is unique!

From https://developers.google.com/appengine/docs/python/users/userobjects

The User object for a valid user can provide a unique ID value for the user that stays the same even if the user changes her email address. The user_id() method returns this ID, a str value.

The User object has the same form no matter which method of authentication your app uses. If you switch authentication options from Google Accounts to OpenID, existing User objects in the datastore are still valid.

Also take care beacuse the UserProperty is mutable as well as discussed.

edited May 23 '17 at 10:34

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answered Jan 21 '13 at 17:50

Jimmy Kane

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the part that I'm trying to clarify is whether the immutable user id could ever be assigned to a future user after the existing user deletes his Google Account. The ID is unique and permanent for a User, but is it forever unique even after a user deletes their account. – Carter Maslan Jan 21 '13 at 20:45
@CarterMaslan See updated answer, and discussion here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/13999106/avoid-using-db-userproperty-when-storing-user-objects – Jimmy Kane Jan 21 '13 at 21:06
@CarterMaslan I think it stated clearly: The User object for a valid user can provide a unique ID value for the user that stays the same even if the user changes her email address. – Jimmy Kane Jan 21 '13 at 22:00

Is Google Account user_id() unique for all time? (i.e. never re-used)

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