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>people whose threat models warrant this level of hassle

If gmail is too insecure for your threat model you should stay away from email all together and find better ways to communicate. Methods like electronic dead drops, or sending encrypted communication over saturated media like online games or any real time P2P messaging service are probably more suited for this situation.

Or people who knows that email stored on a third party's server for longer that 180 days is legally considered abandoned. Abandoned property enjoys no legal protection.

That's incorrect. After 180 days, only a subpoena is needed, rather than a warrant.

You are right, I made an overstatement about a deviously complex situation. An administrative subpoena, which doesn't come from a judge - just the investigating federal agency, is required for old mail. They send out tens of thousands every year, so I don't think it is a stretch to describe the barrier as essentially a form letter on federal stationery.

Did not know that. More info for people interested: http://www.businessinsider.com/when-can-the-government-read-...

This is not really useful for anyone.