How to Leave Facebook
There has been much made of Facebook’s irresponsibility towards the privacy and control of individual’s data over the last couple of months, the main gripe being that it is nigh on impossible to have your account and information permanently deleted. Part of this is due to Facebook having failed to register as a Data Controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office. Thus, it has no obligation to look after the details of its 8.5 million members in the same way that a government agency or energy company would have to.
However, several websites and groups are now publishing the link to this form: http://www.facebook.com/cs_forms/fshelp.php?page=9 with instructions to make it clear in both the subject and message that you wish to have your account permanently deleted. Most group and blog contributors also advise to delete all of your details and change your (*required) details before you request deletion. This way, only your e-mail address and date of birth will remain on the company’s records. Also, users are advised to get friends to check the complete deletion of their profiles and details and check old links from notification e-mails (those that Facebook sends to you). For those open to public searches -also to check searches for remnants of information.
The following group is a useful source of information concerning the latest on deletion problems with Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=16929680703
The latest reports suggest that Facebook is facing a downturn in visits and popularity - no doubt this would include a downturn in users were it not for the difficulty of permanently leaving.
Leave a Reply