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My experience of deleting my Facebook account back in 2009 (and reading this the process hasn't changed) is once I finally deleted it, it was stolen by someone
by harryf 9y ago
My experience of deleting my Facebook account back in 2009 (and reading this the process hasn't changed) is once I finally deleted it, it was stolen by someone else within a few weeks (I'm guessing automated / bots trying to steal identities). I have a very unique name which, as far as I'm aware, is the only one in the world. What caused me to notice was friends still on Facebook who were getting this fake profile recommended as a possible connection.
Facebook ignored requests I made (submitted without having an account) that the profile was fake. I also had friends report the account for me but it still exists today - this is the fake account https://m.facebook.com/harry.fuecks https://m.facebook.com/harry.fuecks - thats not my picture.
So beware - it may be more pragmatic just to deactivate your account than delete. That means Facebook gets to keep your data but at least you don't risk identify theft.
Ultimately think it's going to take regulation to solve this problem in general - it's not in Facebooks interest to make account deletion painless.
- fiftyacorn 9y agoI think there is a browser plugin to recursively delete all your info - then leave account as inactive
- manmal 9y agoI’ve been wondering: Does FB really delete data, or do they not somehow keep it and just flag it as deleted? So they are able to use it for analytics and keep my ad profile sharp.. I hope GDPR will shed some light on this, I guess they will not take the risk going forward.
- thelittleone 9y agoThat's a good strategy. I searched for the plugin you mentioned and found activityremover, however apparently it no longer works.
- abhishekjha 9y agoWhat's the plugin's name?
- anibalin 9y agoSocial Book Post Manager
- overcast 9y agoThe username should just be permanently taken off the available list. This is done with other sites, I don't see why it goes back into the pool once used.
- kerng 9y agoGood thing about GDPR you should be able to ask them to delete all data, while still leave your account there, deactivated, so others can't grab it. That's what my plan of action is - anyone tried that? Is it possible?