Give User an Option to self-delete their Account
- Thread starter mrd
- Start date
Marv
Active member
In times of vBulletin 3.x I used this mod for about 6 years: http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=72932 . To prevent that mess you´re talking about (spammer/spamrobot) I set it up that way, that users ONLY could delete their accounts when their last posting was 72 hours ago. So It was easy to deal whith dozens of spampostings a single user made. 3 clicks and they were gone.
Saved a lot of work to delete accounts manually - and we all have better things to do.
I vote yes on that request cause all it has to do is:
- change the author in all posts of that user to Guest
- delete the account (with email-confirmation/double opt-out) and
- this self-delete function needs to be activated in the CP by an admin
Even in germany - where I live - there is no need to delete the account AND the postings (as long as there are no peronal information in it, like name, adress, phone, email, etc..) These postings can be deleted upon request later if the user wants so - and it´s his turn to deliver the URLs. The german law is fully satisfied when the account and all personal data within can be deleted by the user himself.
I don´t see the point why we are arguing here about that..
Princeton
Well-known member
This will be a great XF option. Why not include it in the default package?
XF is already proving to everyone that it IS a different forum package.
Why not add something that doesn't exist in the others?
It's not like it's going to be forced on anyone - there will likely be an on/off button.
XF is already proving to everyone that it IS a different forum package.
Why not add something that doesn't exist in the others?
It's not like it's going to be forced on anyone - there will likely be an on/off button.
Brandon_R
Guest
If the devs decide to add some kind of derivative of this request, i think it should be close/deactivate which can be activated by loggin in the account than a full out delete accountThe only circumstances in which I'd agree to a soft-delete for users is if they are able to re-register their account and be able to start where they left off.
Again, I'd much prefer a close or deactivate option as I don't like to delete users
Having both seems kind of useless... if someone has an option to close or delete, they will probably delete.If the devs decide to add some kind of derivative of this request, i think it should be close/deactivate which can be activated by loggin in the account than a full out delete account
They should just make closing an account an option then require the user to request for it to be opened again, rather than just logging in.
Forsaken
Well-known member
This is something -required- in Germany; Administrators are required to remove all personal information if a user requests it, which can become tiresome.
There really is no need to debate whether it should be a full out delete, or if its a deactivate feature; it needs to be a full delete to comply with the law.
There really is no need to debate whether it should be a full out delete, or if its a deactivate feature; it needs to be a full delete to comply with the law.
feldon30
Well-known member
Allowing users to self-delete results in a lot of grief and anguish. It can be extremely disruptive to the forum discussions. And most users wake up the next day and wish they hadn't deleted after all.
This feature is only "needed" in Germany. In all other situations, it should be on a case-by-case basis by contacting the Admin.
This feature is only "needed" in Germany. In all other situations, it should be on a case-by-case basis by contacting the Admin.
Marv
Active member
What the heck you´re talking about, guys?! Sorry folks if I may sound a bit rude - but are you blind or not willing to read what has been written and requested: it´s not about the deletion of all posts a user made. It´s just about the account itself and the personal data nested within. The postings remain untouched. Can you copy that ?
I'm sure a user could request account deletion (or you could delete all deactivated accounts).
Forsaken
Well-known member
Changing a username to -> guest is disruptive, is what I take he means.
He requested a feature to delete accounts; he can already easily manually delete himself.
He wants this feature to abide by a law; every alternative would not be abiding said law, so a discussion of alternatives isn't really needed, and the decisions falls to Mike and Kier, no one else.
Marv
Active member
I don´t get your point, James. What´s your problem with that delete functionality ? Fears, users could go forever and the forums are slowly dying ?
To make it clear. I receive over 30 delete requests per month, about one a day. If I don´t follow what the law forces me to - cause I´m on vacation, in the hospital, whatever - and the user is willing to drag me to court, the penalty I´ld receive is devastating. And I can´t afford 1500 euros each and everytime.
From my end of the stick it looks like admins which fear they could loose some users over time (not their postings) should think twice because it seems to be all about counting members... - and that seems weird.
It's not at all to do with losing members or losing posts, but I don't like to delete my users accounts. I completely understand the situation whereby German law states that the account must be DELETED on a user's request, but is this ideal for the majority of forum owners? I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in saying users make spur of the moment decisions whereby they'll delete their account and want it back the next day. Sure, it could be an option for delete/close to be used, I have no problem with that. I am just expressing my opinion on the matter.
The Sandman
Well-known member
I agree with Marv, whether a forum is in Germany or not, this kind of functionality would be beneficial as long as it's sufficiently flexible. It's not simply an issue of not wanting to deal with each member manually (which is a pain but is not heinous) - it's that the members want some sense of control and tend to go ballistic when it's not handled exactly when and how they want it addressed. This is what leads to informal and formal complaints against the site owner. However, if they can press a button and their account disappears, or seems to, they will normally just go happily along on their merry way.
Dean
in memoriam
I am really trying to understand. I really am.
What do you delete when someone requests it?
Forsaken
Well-known member
The account; not the posts.
All personal information needs to be cleared (Account information), however posts are fine.
Marv
Active member
In times of vb3 and the posted self-delete mod the account only became deleted. All postings remained in the forums, only the author changed from the original name to Guest. So no discussion became interrupted or senseless because of missing postings.
In vb4 - I have to admit I did that mistake of "upgrading"- I have to do it manually. That means I have to deal with every single request. A pain in the ass.. I delete the accounts but not the postings.
Dean
in memoriam
"what" exactly, in the account needs deleting? I am really trying not to be obtuse.
Forsaken
Well-known member
I'm assuming IP, Email, DoB etc.
Marv
Active member
Uh, got you. Everything what is in the database and connected with your account, ie the profile pic, name, email and everything you filled in there. That doesnt include IP`s in their postings cause we have to keep them seperated in each and every post (another german law *rolleyes*) so the original author can be tracked down if needed.
Dean
in memoriam
Do the posts need to be commingled with other peoples posts? For example, if 10 people wanted their account deleted, do they all need to have the same name such as 'Guest'?
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