Facebook seems to be going out of it's way to desperately keep users from deactivating their accounts. Today I had decided to shut down an old Facebook account I used for running Facebook ads years ago because that email address was getting so much spam I decided to also kill off that email address. I have removed the Facebook App from my phone a few months ago and it was the most satisfying thing I did. I also swapped from Messenger to Messenger Lite as a staged progress to completely remove the app from my device.
Step 1 - Deactivate your account
Deactivating your account will disable your Profile and remove your name and photo from most things that you've shared on Facebook. Some information may still be visible to others, such as your name in their Friends list and messages that you've sent. To start the process you need to visit here
Step 2 - Explain yourself
Explain to Facebook why you are leaving... this is common for sites to do as part of a feedback loop. But what I was surprised to see was how aggressively they were trying to counter any of my reasons why I was leaving. Also this is not an optional field but a required field in terms of you have no choice but to answer them! Also you will notice they are often alternating the order of the reasons for leaving.
Reason 1 - This is temporary. I'll be back.
Note that they have set your account to automatically reactivate in 7 days and the default option is to "log out" instead close/dismiss being the default option.
Reason 2 - I have another Facebook account
There is actually no feedback loop on this option, Facebook seems happy to let you leave.
Reason 3 - I receive too many emails, invitations and requests from Facebook.
Facebook is basically saying that's not good enough reason to deactivate why not slow the flood of emails if you haven't already opted-out of everything you could previously
Reason 4 - I don't understand how to use Facebook.
It could be better to be phrased as I don't know why I use Facebook... If you don't know how to use Facebook correctly such as right privacy settings maybe best not use it at all.
Reason 5 - I spend too much time using Facebook.
This is a valid reason and limiting the number of emails is not going to have much of an impact. Facebook has been very sneaky and aggressive with notifications, the in-ability to unsubscribe from notifications and phantom notifications if you haven't opened the app in a while. I strongly suggest uninstalling the mobile app, in Android 8.0 Samsung has made it a system app so you have to work harder to manually disable it as you can't remove it.
Reason 6 - I don't feel safe on Facebook
This is a valid concern you should be worried about what you have overshared in the past on Facebook because their lax privacy settings. Also it's what your friends and family also overshare on Facebook but you can never truly escape it all. Facebook has been slow to react to bullying, threats and racism so yes if this is happening to you then you should shut down your account you don't need to put up with anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Reason 7 - I have a privacy concern
The entire world must have some privacy concerns based on what has been going on over the last year or so. If you have privacy concerns don't wait or give Facebook a second chance shut down your account now! Facebook will just play it's usual game of saying sorry and hoping you forget about this whole privacy issue in a bit like you have the several times they broke your trust in the past. It's an abusive relationship that you must break free from!
Reason 8 - I don't find Facebook useful.
This is actually one of the early questions people had on why you were wasting time on Facebook... many folks still don't find Facebook that useful and it increasingly tries to push new products and services in a desperate rush to stay relevant in your life. Don't let it if you don't find it useful deactivate your account. Connecting with more random friends of friends is not going to make the platform anymore useful, it might actually make it less useful.
Reason 9 - My account was hacked
This might actually be something you could have prevented by picking a decent password or enabling two-factor authentication. But yes if you have been hacked it's also a good reason to consider closing your Facebook account.
Reason 10 - Other (please explain further)
Not sure if they really care to read this but probably a good place for a rant about why you don't want to use their service anymore.
Items to watch for!
- Against GDPR guidelines the opt-out is unchecked so you are still open to receiving emails from Facebook unless you manually check the box. Remember that receive too many emails reason for leaving... this reinforces that issue...
- Keep using Messenger this is one a few people I know did so they could stay within the Facebook ecosystem and Facebook could keep their data.
