USPS - Premium Tracking?

[Cubby5454]

I just checked the tracking of an incoming package on the USPS website. Never saw this before. Premium Tracking? Basically they are now charging you to be able to see the tracking history beyond a certain date. When did this become a thing?

Premium Tracking
Your item is eligible for Premium Tracking: Extended History. Purchase the extended tracking history for your item to be sent via email upon request. Choose the length of time you would like to extend access to this tracking history and select for purchase. You can only purchase extended history once, so all orders are final and are not eligible for a refund. Based on your tracking number, your regular tracking history is available only until July 17, 2020 without this purchase. You may purchase Premium Tracking for only one tracking number at a time.

6 Months

$2.10

1 Year

$2.59

3 Years

$3.59

5 Years

$4.59

7 Years

$5.59

10 Years

$9.99

[shrevecity]

As it stands right now the tracking numbers in many cases get purged from the system as early as 60 days. If you need it to be available longer you now have to pay. They started this late last year.