My guess is that the account-deletion thing is them freaking out about (1) Apple's lawyers—which, assuming MacRumors's host has backups, is likely a futile gest

My guess is that the account-deletion thing is them freaking out about (1) Apple's lawyers—which, assuming MacRumors's host has backups, is likely a futile gesture—and (2) random crazy people who will target them for whatever reason. Although if I were them, I'd be worried most about my sister. Putting your own career on the line for internet fame is one thing; risking someone's else's is some deeply bad shit.