(Updated) Microsoft Viva: Viva Glint: Configure user and survey data retention for deleted users in Viva Glint

Updated October 1, 2026: Starting today, we have restarted the live processing of user delete signals received via Microsoft Entra as well as started processing the delete signals that were generated since the beginning of related planned maintenance window, June 2025. Users who have been since deleted from Microsoft Entra will be processed in Viva Glint and their data will be retained or deleted based on the user data configurations for your Viva Glint instance. You will find related information sent as part of MC1113670 and the following learn articles: 

• Manage General Settings in Viva Glint | Microsoft Learn 
• Delete user data from Viva Glint | Microsoft Learn 
• FAQs for deleting user data | Microsoft Learn 

Please verify the list of users in your Glint instance and if you need any assistance, please submit a support request via this link: 

• Get support for Viva Glint - Viva | Microsoft Learn.

[What and why]

Microsoft Viva Glint is introducing a new admin control that allows organizations to configure whether survey responses and identifiable user data are retained or deleted when users are permanently deleted from Viva Glint, either manually or through deletion signals received from Microsoft Entra.

This change simplifies existing configuration options by consolidating two controls into a single setting: Retain survey responses and identifiable data for deleted users. This helps organizations apply their data retention and deletion policies more consistently while preserving the consistency of previously generated Viva Glint survey reports when data retention is desired.

Microsoft will also process user deletion signals received through Microsoft Entra and retain or delete the corresponding user data according to the configured setting and applicable service terms.

This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 560548.

[Rollout schedule]

• Worldwide: Beginning in early September 2026 and expected to complete by late September 2026

[Impact on your organization]

Who is affected

• Viva Glint administrators
• Organizations using Microsoft Entra user lifecycle signals with Viva Glint

Platforms and services

• Microsoft Viva Glint
• Microsoft Entra ID integration

What will happen

Beginning in September 2026, a single control, Retain survey responses and identifiable data for deleted users, will determine whether data associated with permanently deleted users is retained or deleted.

The initial state of the new control will be automatically mapped from your existing configuration settings as shown below:

Additional considerations:

• If the control is configured to delete data, there is no change to the existing behavior. Data will continue to be deleted.
• If the control is configured to retain data, identifiable user information, including first name, last name, employee ID, and email address, will be retained. User data will no longer be anonymized when the user is deleted.
• The value of the control at the time a user is permanently deleted determines whether associated data is retained or deleted.
• This change applies to deletions processed on or after September 10, 2026, including newly received user deletion signals from Microsoft Entra and historical deletion signals that have not been processed since June 2025. During historical signal processing, user records will not be deleted if hierarchy changes were detected that caused user statuses to be modified.
• After a user is permanently deleted, organizations may be able to reuse the deleted user's employee ID or email address for another Viva Glint user, depending on other configured user data controls.
• User deletion signals received from Microsoft Entra will be processed according to the configured setting and applicable service terms.

[Action required and recommendations]

Action required: Review the new setting and confirm that it aligns with your organization's data retention and deletion policies.

Recommended actions (complete by September 30, 2026):

• Review the Retain survey responses and identifiable data for deleted users setting in Viva Glint.
• Verify that the configured state aligns with your organization's privacy, legal, HR, and records management requirements.
• Update internal documentation and user lifecycle processes, as needed.
• If your organization uses Microsoft Entra lifecycle signals with Viva Glint, confirm that the configured setting reflects how future user deletion events should be processed. 

Related information:

You will find related information sent as part of MC1113670 and the following learn articles:

• Manage General Settings in Viva Glint | Microsoft Learn
• Delete user data from Viva Glint | Microsoft Learn
• FAQs for deleting user data | Microsoft Learn

[Compliance considerations]