I think it's gonna be long time before they roll out the new ID requirements.  But when they do, I hope they make very trustworthy promises that the ID info will be erased completely from their files once you've been verified.  Eventually I suspect all members, existing as well as new, will have to be verified by the new protocols.  And they have already made it plain that all accounts will have to include one or more clear face shots that are recognizably you.  So if that's unacceptable for you, I'm afraid your days on SA are numbered. Knowing this, I guess I'd advise you to continue paying for membership to prolong your current status.

As Papa Sweet suggests, it's only a matter of time before they get around to us. That "time" may be based on geography, account age (i.e.: # months on file), or other factors we can't really know.  But it seems that one thing that will ensure you have to get verified sooner, will be deactivating and then trying to reactivate.  That will essentially put you at the front of the line like any new account.  

 
So if you ultimately cannot risk the ID verification process, your best (only?) play may be to keep your account in paid status until they get around to you and give you the shoulder tap to get verified.  

 
Perhaps as they roll out the process, we will see additional info from them or even news coverage that speaks to just how confidential they make your info and just how effectively they delete it.  I expect the real test may come from a rather negative scenario: when Law Enforcement decides they need to subpoena member data to investigate some serious crime (like the Google Executive overdose case from several years ago). If they REALLY are deleting that data, they will have nothing to send. But if they really do not delete that data, they will be compelled to turn it over.  

 
Who wants to be that test case?  I don't care if my data is revealed, I'm essentially blackmail-proof. But I definitely don't want to be the victim that motivates LE to investigate me.  

 
Life is good?  

 
The Cat

I will probably have to bite the bullet and pay up for an additional 3 months  

I had my pic verified not a problem — in the beginning they had me take a pic with fingers near face in a pose that I verified — this was optional 3 years ago — not an issue for me  

 The big deal is I just don’t want my driver license in their database - it’s only a matter of time they get hacked  

I even use prepaid gift cards to avoid any trace of my billing address or name in their systems - so far it’s worked quite well

I guess when they ask an ID for everyone — at that point I will just have to say adios to seeking and go to vanilla dating sites and try my luck there - let’s hope that day is many years away , lol

but I don't deactivate my membership.. I just let it sit  as Basic Membership (not upgraded one)

 
I have not been prompted to provide any id.  Why don't you let it just sit there..  As others have said sooner or later you might need to provide ID. But here's how I look at this.  I invite SBs to my place all the time. They know where I live.  It's lot more riskier for SBs to have my address than SA have my ID.  Plus I am a small business owner. I don't have a corporate job. I am also single and no kids. I have nothing to worry about.