Deleting Facebook: more difficult than you might think.

If you’re seriously considering deleting your Facebook account, you’re not alone.

Start typing in the letters “dele” into Google and you’ll see “delete Facebook account” as a top suggestion. Whether it’s to alleviate privacy concerns or avoid digital distractions, more people are trying to figure out how to fully disconnect themselves from the social network giant that we live and breathe.

For those ready to call it quits, you’re in for a surprise — it’s more difficult than you think to erase yourself permanently. With its ever-changing privacy policies, becoming Facebook-free requires more steps than just hitting the delete button and saying goodbye.

Keep in mind deletion is not the same as deactivation. You can deactivate your account at any time, which means your Timeline and information will disappear from Facebook until you reactivate your account. When reactivated, your information is restored. Deleting your account means you can never, ever access your account again, and you won’t be able to retrieve any of your content or information.

Most of your personal data, like your email and mailing address, is removed from Facebook, but some information, such as messages and photos, may remain on its server for “technical reasons.” Facebook’s Help Center also says the data left behind will no longer be identifiable or searchable as your own, and that it will be inaccessible to other people using Facebook.

If you 100% want out, follow the step-by-step guide below to erase your Facebook footprint and make sure your account is gone for good:

www.theage.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/how-to-delete-facebook-from-your-life-
completely-20140703-zsuib.html

Kyli Singh – Mashable – July 3, 2014