Deleting TFL Account/Profile

theliberalgunowner · January 8, 2016, 12:29 AM

Dear TFL,

I have looked around and tried to find how to delete my profile/account, but haven't found anything. Could I get some help? I really appreciate it, and I hope your new year goes well!

Sincerely,

theliberalgunowner

**JohnKSa** · January 8, 2016, 12:35 AM

Accounts are not typically deleted. If a member wishes to end their participation at TFL, the way to do so is to simply stop posting.

g.willikers · January 27, 2016, 11:08 AM

It's apparently a common approach on forums.
I got the same answer on another forum I hadn't participated at for a long time.
No way to unsubscribe, other than not logging on.
And even the ones that supposedly can be unsubscribed don't always take.
Go back some time later and there you still are.
If you're concerned about a loss of privacy, or being on some scary list somewhere, it's way too late for that anyway.
Other than moving completely off grid to some backwoods location, the time for hiding is long past.
And that just sounds way too boring.
Don't sweat it, you have plenty of good company.

**Mike Irwin** · January 28, 2016, 09:53 PM

As it said in the very first screen you saw when you first joined, even before you started registering, "under NO circumstances will TFL staff delete a member's account and/or a member's entire posting history."

Water-Man · January 29, 2016, 01:15 AM

Why don't you explain to the OP why not?

**Mike Irwin** · January 29, 2016, 10:51 AM

He'd already understand that.

If he read the explanatory note that I reference.

Which he indicated that he did when he clicked the link that said "I understand and I want to continue registering."

Water-Man · January 29, 2016, 11:07 AM

Obviously, he forgot.

Why not say you can't or won't.

**tyme** · January 29, 2016, 02:29 PM

Water-man: That explanation is in the first page you hit when you try to sign up, put there over a year ago so that staff shouldn't have to repeat it in these kinds of threads.

http://thefiringline.com/privacy.html

We're not unreasonable. If there's a particularly compelling reason for a request, even though it typically wouldn't be granted, contact staff privately and explain it.

Not being able to read the outline of privacy and data-permanence expectations that's put right in front of you when you sign up, alone, is not a very compelling reason for staff to do anything. And even without that page, there are certain obvious expectations about signing up for, and participating on, a forum. Expecting account deletion and post removal is, in general, not very reasonable.

Ask yourself this question: What interest do you have in account deletion or mass removal of posts that isn't outweighed by maintaining continuity of historical threads? The fewer posts you have, the less potential damage, but also the less reason to delete them.

January 8, 2016, 12:29 AM	#1
theliberalgunowner Member Join Date: June 30, 2015 Location: Western WA State Posts: 17	Deleting TFL Account/Profile Dear TFL, I have looked around and tried to find how to delete my profile/account, but haven't found anything. Could I get some help? I really appreciate it, and I hope your new year goes well! Sincerely, theliberalgunowner __________________ The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. –Amelia Earhart There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. -Edith Wharton

January 8, 2016, 12:35 AM	#2
JohnKSa Staff Join Date: February 12, 2001 Location: DFW Area Posts: 24,972	Accounts are not typically deleted. If a member wishes to end their participation at TFL, the way to do so is to simply stop posting. __________________ Do you know about the TEXAS State Rifle Association?

January 27, 2016, 11:08 AM	#3
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	It's apparently a common approach on forums. I got the same answer on another forum I hadn't participated at for a long time. No way to unsubscribe, other than not logging on. And even the ones that supposedly can be unsubscribed don't always take. Go back some time later and there you still are. If you're concerned about a loss of privacy, or being on some scary list somewhere, it's way too late for that anyway. Other than moving completely off grid to some backwoods location, the time for hiding is long past. And that just sounds way too boring. Don't sweat it, you have plenty of good company. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”

January 28, 2016, 09:53 PM	#4
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	As it said in the very first screen you saw when you first joined, even before you started registering, "under NO circumstances will TFL staff delete a member's account and/or a member's entire posting history." __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 29, 2016, 10:51 AM	#6
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,381	He'd already understand that. If he read the explanatory note that I reference. Which he indicated that he did when he clicked the link that said "I understand and I want to continue registering." __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

January 29, 2016, 01:15 AM	#5
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	Why don't you explain to the OP why not?

January 29, 2016, 11:07 AM	#7
Water-Man Senior Member Join Date: March 23, 2008 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 2,126	Obviously, he forgot. Why not say you can't or won't.

January 29, 2016, 02:29 PM	#8
tyme Staff Join Date: October 13, 2001 Posts: 3,355	Water-man: That explanation is in the first page you hit when you try to sign up, put there over a year ago so that staff shouldn't have to repeat it in these kinds of threads. http://thefiringline.com/privacy.html We're not unreasonable. If there's a particularly compelling reason for a request, even though it typically wouldn't be granted, contact staff privately and explain it. Not being able to read the outline of privacy and data-permanence expectations that's put right in front of you when you sign up, alone, is not a very compelling reason for staff to do anything. And even without that page, there are certain obvious expectations about signing up for, and participating on, a forum. Expecting account deletion and post removal is, in general, not very reasonable. Ask yourself this question: What interest do you have in account deletion or mass removal of posts that isn't outweighed by maintaining continuity of historical threads? The fewer posts you have, the less potential damage, but also the less reason to delete them. __________________ “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)