Deletion

pturner67 · January 5, 2013, 01:38 PM

How does someone delete their account and all posts made?

jimbob86 · January 5, 2013, 01:47 PM

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

pturner67 · January 5, 2013, 01:54 PM

Yeah, I figured that was the case. Thanks

kayakersteve · January 5, 2013, 02:19 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, 03:16 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, 03:22 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, 01:38 PM	#1
pturner67 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2006 Posts: 737	Deletion How does someone delete their account and all posts made?

January 5, 2013, 02:19 PM	#4
kayakersteve Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 925	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, 03:16 PM	#5
tyme Staff Join Date: October 13, 2001 Posts: 3,355	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. __________________ “The egg hatched...” “...the egg hatched... and a hundred baby spiders came out...” (blade runner) “Who are you?” “A friend. I'm here to prevent you from making a mistake.” “You have no idea what I'm doing here, friend.” “In specific terms, no, but I swore an oath to protect the world...” (continuum) “It's a goal you won't understand until later. Your job is to make sure he doesn't achieve the goal.” (bsg)

January 5, 2013, 01:47 PM	#2
jimbob86 Junior member Join Date: October 4, 2007 Location: All the way to NEBRASKA Posts: 8,722	Once it's out there, it's out there, even if you delete it.

January 5, 2013, 01:54 PM	#3
pturner67 Senior Member Join Date: February 26, 2006 Posts: 737	Yeah, I figured that was the case. Thanks

January 19, 2013, 03:22 PM	#6
polyphemus Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2012 Posts: 1,055	Someone advised not to write anything on the internet you did not want to read on The New York Times front page.