Ask HN: Does deleting a profile from Facebook ensures that all data is deleted?

by digamber_kamat on 11/7/2009, 1:45 PM with 16 comments

IF I delete my profile from Facebook or Orkut does that mean the respective companies will also delete all my data from their databases?

At least do they ensure that such data will not be used for any purpose?

  • by ams6110 on 11/7/2009, 3:11 PM

    Even if it does, whatever was public may well be cached in innumerable places all over the internet.

    You pretty much have to assume that whatever you post on sites like that will be "out there" forever.

  • by tokenadult on 11/7/2009, 2:14 PM

    A link for Facebook users on the subject tells how-tos, but doesn't verify what happens technologically when one asks for a full account deletion.

    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16929680703

    From the ToS:

    http://www.facebook.com/terms.php

    "You may also delete your account or disable your application at any time." But that's in a section that only applies to advertisers.

  • by radu_floricica on 11/7/2009, 2:16 PM

    Google for example makes it pretty clear that, given the complexity of their backups system, they'll never be able nor try to delete your data completely. I'm guessing most companies are the same, backups are essentially read-only.

  • by bingaman on 11/7/2009, 5:42 PM

    FWIW, I have tried to completely delete my Facebook account and it did not work. They have no reason to delete your data, it's valuable information that you freely gave to them.

  • by known on 11/8/2009, 1:59 AM

    I think it is not possible. Assume A & B were chatting. Facebook cannot unilaterally delete A or B's data unless both A & B decide to delete their profiles.

  • by jsean on 11/7/2009, 1:48 PM

    No and no. My guess is that it's done using a flag in their db.

    user_active = 0

    or perhaps more efficiantly

    user_deactivated = [date]

  • by adrianwaj on 11/7/2009, 5:45 PM

    just remove all the data from the fields:

    before-

    interests: "sports, hacker news, etc."

    friends: 100

    after-

    interests: "-"

    friends: 0

    I did that once.. delete what you can.

  • by tkahn6 on 11/7/2009, 3:05 PM

    You have to either ask them for a complete account deletion (I've never heard of this working - although it may) OR you have to manually delete everything you've ever done. Obviously this takes awhile but it is doable. I cleaned out my account a few years ago this way.

  • by calyth on 11/7/2009, 2:41 PM

    You're talking to a bunch of idiots that even when you made privacy settings that you don't want other apps to know your name, it still shows through.

    Expect nothing from these goofs.