How to permanently delete your Facebook account and download a copy of your data

Ella Wills21 March 2018

Facebook users across the globe are shunning the social media site in the wake of a data mining scandal linked to consultancy firm Cambridge Analytica.

Facebook has suspended accounts held by Cambridge Analytica and parent firm Strategic Communication Laboratories and vowed to investigate the breach.

But Cambridge Analytica has denied claims it misused data.

If you are considering leaving the site, here’s all the ways you can see what information you have shared on Facebook, and how to delete your account.

What data does Facebook have on its users?

Any interaction on Facebook creates data, be that volunteered information such as birthdays and hometowns, or interests gleaned from publicly liking content.

The site also knows where you log on from, what device you use and which ads you click on.

Apps that work on the site, such as mini games and personality quizzes, can also request permission to take a person’s data. There are rules about what third parties can do with it.

Where to find what apps you’ve allowed

Click the apps tab on the left-hand side of the screen to find apps that have been okayed.

There are options to see what info is shared with apps, and to delete, limit or remove information collected by any app.

Deactivating an account

If deleting an account seems too severe, Facebook does offer a less permanent called deactivation.

This means a person could log back in in the future and completely restore their profile as the website keeps the information.

While deactivated, the account will not appear in searches.

People are leaving Facebook amid a data leak scandal
AFP/Getty Images

Deleting an account

Before getting rid of an account entirely, consider downloading a copy of the data Facebook has on you (found in the general section of settings).

This includes data already available on profiles, information on ads that have been clicked on and IP addresses used.

Then head to Facebook’s Delete Account page and select “Delete My Account”.

But, be warned, deleting an account is permanent so think through the decision before clicking.

Facebook can take up to 90 days to process account deletion requests.

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