Deletion

pturner67 · January 5, 2013, 02:38 PM

How does someone delete their account and all posts made?

jimbob86 · January 5, 2013, 02:47 PM

Once it's out there, it's out there, even if you delete it.

pturner67 · January 5, 2013, 02:54 PM

Yeah, I figured that was the case. Thanks

kayakersteve · January 5, 2013, 03:19 PM

People often think their Internet posts are anonymous, but in reality, an electronic trail exists and and can be traced.

**tyme** · January 5, 2013, 04:16 PM

Generally, no, because it disrupts continuity of threads to which you've contributed.

That's not a categorical imperative. If there's some extremely unusual case where deleting all posts is the Right Thing To Do, although I can't think of one, I'm sure the staff would consider it carefully. There have been a few unusual cases in the past that have been handled by less disruptive means than deleting someone's posting history.

polyphemus · January 19, 2013, 04:22 PM

Someone advised not to write anything on the internet you did not want to
read on The New York Times front page.

January 5, 2013, 02:38 PM	#1
pturner67 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2006 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 586	Deletion How does someone delete their account and all posts made?

January 5, 2013, 02:47 PM	#2
jimbob86 Senior Member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 5,245	Once it's out there, it's out there, even if you delete it. __________________ TheGolden Rule of Tool Use: "If you don't know what you are doing, DON'T." http://nefirearm.com/

January 5, 2013, 03:19 PM	#4
kayakersteve Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 896	Unfortunately true People often think their Internet posts are anonymous, but in reality, an electronic trail exists and and can be traced. __________________ See Ya!

January 5, 2013, 04:16 PM	#5
tyme Staff Join Date: October 13, 2001 Location: Novalis 978-0553586251 Posts: 2,996	Generally, no, because it disrupts continuity of threads to which you've contributed. That's not a categorical imperative. If there's some extremely unusual case where deleting all posts is the Right Thing To Do, although I can't think of one, I'm sure the staff would consider it carefully. There have been a few unusual cases in the past that have been handled by less disruptive means than deleting someone's posting history. __________________ Proud reseller of little geisha dolls with big heads that wobble.

January 5, 2013, 02:54 PM	#3
pturner67 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2006 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 586	Yeah, I figured that was the case. Thanks

January 19, 2013, 04:22 PM	#6
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 230	Someone advised not to write anything on the internet you did not want to read on The New York Times front page.