Many thanks to this article: How do I delete my Facebook account? … personally i am of the opinion that it should be easy to remove yourself from any website, whenever you like, with no questions asked. I believe that cultivates trust in the site. Facebook make it extremely difficult, but it's nice to know it can be done.

I'm not yet sure whether i'm going to do it. I don't really use Facebook at all, and it's always nice to simplify my life a little bit by removing unnecessary things. Besides, you never know what they're secretly doing with all your personal data. I recently removed myself from LinkedIn and felt a huge relief for doing it.

1. Jack Says:
   November 19th, 2008 at 10:22

   I joined BTPodshow a few years ago. There is no way to get off it! The same goes for DeviantArt, which is a real shame.

   Even now when I search for my site on Google, it still comes up with stuff I want to get rid of. :(

2. Aimee Says:
   November 19th, 2008 at 13:51

   Yes, it is really rubbish of sites to not let you destroy your account if you want to. I also don't really understand why they're so anxious not to let you go. You created that information; you should be able to remove it too.

3. Springo Says:
   November 19th, 2008 at 17:15

   I believe it's actually a low, that if you provide information to a company, that they have to use it for specific purposes, and that you have the right to choose to have it removed if you so wish.

   One of the data protection acts I believe.

4. Springo Says:
   November 19th, 2008 at 17:15

   oh, i mean't that "I think it's actually a law"

5. Aimee Says:
   November 19th, 2008 at 18:59

   Yes, my husband thought the same thing. Maybe if you cause a fuss, the site is obliged to purge you … but it doesn't mean they have to make it easy for you to remove yourself.

6. Springo Says:
   November 19th, 2008 at 21:37

   Very true.

   However, i agree that it should always be an available option, and it should be immediate.

7. Aimee Says:
   November 19th, 2008 at 22:02

   I can actually see this becoming quite a hot topic as people get over the Web 2.0 phenomenon and suddenly realise that they've left their data trail all over the internet and suddenly want to get rid of it.

   That sounds quite prophetic, doesn't it?! ;)

8. Andrea Valentin Says:
   November 20th, 2008 at 03:38

   if you are on facebook you are, pretty much, immortal, don't forget that. And yes Aimee, this is a HOT topic indeed!! check out the group 'things you didn't know about facebook', on facebook CHECK OUT :-)