Fed up with the repetitive privacy goofs, Facebook’s new Open Graph API and Protocol, and their apparent disregard for their users’ privacy, what was once thought impossible is now happening: People are deleting their Facebook accounts, and I suspect we are going to start seeing large numbers of people doing so.
Sounds like a rather unhappy birthday for FB’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.
Facebook makes it rather easy to “deactivate” your account, which temporarily hides your profile, pictures and other information from the rest of the site. However, when it comes to *permanently* deleting your account, good luck finding it. It is buried deep in the FB help sections, almost like they don’t want you to delete your account. Ever.
First Things First
If you are using Facebook to login to other sites and services, you’ll need to address them before deleting your account.
Login to each of the sites that you are using with Facebook Connect and make sure you have a alternate method of logging in. Log out, and then back in using the alternate credentials. Do this for each site you’ve used Facebook Connect with.
Get Prepared to Delete Your Account
Next, you’ll likely want to archive at least some of the information you’ve posted. Pictures typically rise to the top of this short list, but the ArchiveFacebook plugin for Firefox will help you extract a whole lot more.
This browser plugin allows you to backup the following data from your soon to be deleted FB account:
- Photos
- Messages
- Activity Stream
- Friends List
- Notes
- Events
- Groups
- Info
After adding ArchiveFacebook to Firefox, you’ll want to do some housekeeping before you get started. By default, ArchiveFacebook will store your archived FB data in your Firefox profile. Probably not the best place for it to live.
Click the ArchiveFB menu item in Firefox, then select Show in Sidebar. In the sidebar that just opened, click Tools, Options.
Select Organize and change Location to Store Data to somewhere convenient, and somewhere you’ll back it up.
Now you’re ready to extract your data. Login to Facebook and then select ArchiveFB > Archive.
Click OK and be patient as your data is extracted. If you have lots of information, this might take awhile. If during the process it appears to get stuck, press Pause and then Start to kick things into gear.
Now It’s Time to Delete Your Account
Click here: http://www.facebook.com/help/contact.php?show_form=delete_account
When prompted, click Submit to start the account deletion.
Enter your password into the popup box confirm you are not a robot, and click Okay.
You will then receive an email confirmation that your account is scheduled for deletion. This takes 14 days. During this time, *do not login to your Facebook account in any manner.* Don’t click a website’s Like or Share buttons, and lastly, don’t use Facebook Connect to login to any 3rd party website.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
THANKS, MAKEITWORK! GREAT DEMO!
I DID IT THIS AM ON LEO LA PORTES PROGRAM INFO… BUT YOU TAKE IT FURTHER.
ABOUT THE 'OTHER STUFF' THAT MIGHT NEED ATTENTION!!!
GREAT WORK. LJ
While most might find these instructions easy, I am not that savvy and so I cannot for the life of me visualize that many people understanding how to do all of this stuff, I feel dupped.
Hi SuzyQ. Thanks for commenting.
I think that you meant to say you feel Duped, and if so, then your comment strikes right to the heart of this Facebook issue. Many people are feeling duped, as Zuckerberg and friends have created a system that requires people to be more tech-savvy than they are to remain fully aware of the potential security threats.
The thousands of customers that we service on a regular basis look to us to help spell out the steps required to protect themselves and their families online, which is why Jeremy took the time to put together this article. If you are concerned about your online security, and you've made the decision to delete your Facebook profile, you'll do just fine if you follow these steps one by one.
If you get stuck, or get nervous, give us a call, and we'll be happy to help you out.
Take good care, and stay safe online!
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