How to delete my Facebook account permanently?

It should be mentioned in advance that it is not inevitably neccessary to delete your account if you are merely anxious about your personal data safety. In fact reconfiguring the personal settings also leads to acceptable security. The user defined settings concerning privacy information has been simplified initially in May 2010 and further changes are still to come.

Deactivating your Account

Instead of permanent deletion – as a kind of interim solution – user have the possibility to deactivate their account. Those of you who rather await results of the contemporary discussion about security and possible circulation of data should try this approach: "Account" – "Account Settings" – "Deactivate Account". Consequently the account ceases to be visible for other user while all personal data remain available for a possible reactivation.

Account Deletion

To delete your account permanently, i.e. consequently leaving Facebook for good requires the following steps:

1. Click on "Help Center" under "Account" in the task bar.
2. Follow "Using Facebook" and click on "Profile".
3. Then click on "Account settings and deletion".
4. Choose "How do I permanently delete my account".
5. You will find a text about differences between deletion and deactivation. There you can find a further, quite concealed link that leads to the next step. The text says: "If you would like your account permanently deleted with no option for recovery, log in to your account and then submit your request by clicking here". You have to click on the word "here" to continue.
6. The following page reads "Delete My Account". Click on "Submit" to start the process of account deletion.
7. Based on many user experiences, it appears to be a crucial step NOT to use your Facebook account for 14 days after you have requested deletion. The least interaction with Facebook will cancel the deletion.

Thus, your account will be deactivated for 14 days and eventually deleted permanently if you do not use it meanwhile. In addition better delete all your browsing, forms history and cookies as well, to minimize the risk of accidentally using your account. Also beware of your iPhone and any apps that revert to your Facebook account.

It is crucially important to remember that the account is not deleted until two weeks later.

Social Networking on Playstation 4

The upcoming Playstation 4 will have additional features to force social networking. Be informed and keep security settings in mind.