Abstract: An approach for managing access to electronic documents uses document retention and document security policies. In response to a request to access a particular electronic document, a document retention policy and a document security policy are applied to the particular electronic document. Deletion and/or access to the electronic document are managed based upon the document retention policy and the document security policy. A content analyzer automatically analyzes the content of electronic documents and determines one or more classifications that apply to the electronic documents. The content analyzer may be configured to use one or more of semantic analysis, text analysis, video analysis, voice analysis or image analysis to analyze electronic documents.