There are many different reasons you may want to completely obliterate your Facebook profile.
For this scenario let’s just say you decided to go “Facebook on everyone” and need to remove your digital identity ASAP.
Although
Facebook discourages you to delete your facebook account permanently,
they do provide the option, although a bit buried.
Step 1: Backup all of your data
First of all, it’s time to backup all posts, videos and photos.
Click the “down arrow” in the upper right-hand corner
Go to ‘Settings’
In General Account Settings, Click ‘download a copy of all your Facebook data’, download archive.
Step 2: Deactivate your account
Click
the “down arrow” in the upper right-hand corner, account settings,
click security on the left menu, then click deactivate your account.
You’ll also be asked to give a reason why you’re leaving.
Now all your Facebook data will be de-indexed but will be able to be easily restored.
Step 3: Delete your Facebook account
Click on the “lock” icon in the upper right-hand corner, click the “magnifying glass” icon and then search for “delete”.
Click on the result near the bottom that says “How do i permanently delete my account”. Now scroll down till you see the “Let us know” link. Click the delete my account. Put in your password, submit captcha. Hit OK. That’s it.
Here is the link to permanently delete your facebook account:
Privacy & other things to consider when deleting your account:
- Do other sites and apps use your Facebook account to login and authenticate you?
- Do employers, landlords or universities rely on social media profiles to screen you?
- Have other websites scraped content from your Facebook profile and published information about you around the web?
- Do you become a social outcast? Is it creepy to NOT to have Facebook in this day and age?
