Following Meta’s recent move to eliminate its third-party fact-checking system and ease content moderation rules, there has been a noticeable uptick in Google searches for how to delete accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
Frustrated users are criticizing Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for allegedly aligning too closely with the Trump administration, claiming it has resulted in the transformation of the company’s social media platforms into more significant sources of misinformation and divisive dialogue. Zuckerberg’s comments suggesting that the company’s third-party fact-checkers were “too politically biased” for his vision of “free expression” have likely exacerbated the situation.
In the aftermath of Meta’s announcement, numerous users have pointed out contradictions in Zuckerberg’s recently professed commitment to free speech. Notably, in mid-January, Meta acknowledged that it deleted links to Pixelfed, a rival to Instagram. Shortly after Zuckerberg was prominently seen at President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Instagram restricted searches containing various political hashtags, such as #democrats and #jan6th.
Users from outside the United States may also be reevaluating their options. Meta has stated it will maintain fact-checkers in international markets “for now,” but this could change.
If you’ve reached your limit with Meta’s algorithms stirring up emotions over [insert cultural or political issue here] and you’re fed up with the company’s data harvesting for AI training or targeted advertising and political messaging, keep reading.
How to Download Your Facebook Archive
If you’re committed to either deleting your Facebook account completely or just deactivating it, it’s wise to first download your personal data from Facebook archives. This information encompasses photos, active sessions, chat logs, IP addresses, facial recognition data, and advertisements you interacted with.
Please note that you will need a computer and a web browser, rather than a mobile device, to follow these instructions.
To proceed, follow these steps:
- Click the downward arrow beneath your profile picture in the upper-right corner.
- Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- In the left-side column, scroll down until you reach Your information, and select Download your information.
- You will be prompted to go to the Accounts Center. Click Continue.
- When the pop-up appears, select Download or transfer information.
- Choose the accounts from which you want to download information, which may include your Facebook, Instagram, and Meta Horizon accounts, then click Next.
- Select how much information you wish to download, and click Next. According to Facebook, “If you opt for Specific types of information, you can select which kinds of information to download, including data logs.”
- Decide if you wish to download the information onto a device or transfer it directly to another destination and click Next.
- If you choose Transfer to destination, you can specify the destination and schedule future transfers. Upon making your selection, click Start transfer and input your Facebook profile password.
- If you opt for Download to device, you can specify your file options. You will see choices to create a date range, and you may download in HTML or JSON format, selecting from high, medium, or low media quality.
- Click Submit request.
How to Delete Your Facebook Account
Important: Deleting your account means you will lose access to it permanently. Facebook will delay the deletion request for several days after it’s initiated and will cancel the deletion if you log back in during this period.
It’s also important to mention that certain information, like messaging history, may not be stored in your account, meaning your friends could still access messages you sent before your account is deleted.
With that in mind, here’s a step-by-step guide for deletion:
- Click on your profile picture in the top right corner.
- Navigate to Settings & Privacy > Settings.
- Select Accounts Center at the top left of the screen.
- Choose Personal details under Account Settings.
- Click on Account ownership and control.
- Select Deactivation or deletion.
- Choose the account or profile you want to deactivate.
- Select Delete account.
- Click Continue and follow the prompts to confirm.
How to Download Your Instagram Information
There are two easy methods to access the page where you download your Instagram information: use the Accounts Center or go through your Instagram Settings. In the Accounts Center, go to Your information and permissions to find Download your information. Alternatively, access Instagram Settings by clicking on the three horizontal lines at the bottom left of your screen and selecting Your activity.
Whichever method you choose will direct you to the Download your information page. Here, you can select the profiles from which to download information and decide whether to download it to a device or transfer it directly to another destination.
If you opt for Download to device, you’ll need to specify a date range, notification email, the format of your download request, and the quality of images, videos, and other media — similar to the process for downloading your Facebook information. After that, click Create files.
Once your request is in progress, it will show as In progress under the Current Activity tab in the Download your information tool. Instagram will notify you via email and in-app when your information is ready, and you will need to download it within four days.
How to Delete Your Instagram Account
Once you’ve downloaded your information, you’re ready to proceed with the deletion.
To delete your account via the web, follow these steps:
- Visit the Accounts ownership and control settings in the Accounts Center directly at this link.
- Click Deactivation or deletion.
- Select the account you wish to delete.
- Hit Delete account, then click Continue.
Once your account has been deleted, if you experience a change of heart, you can re-register using the same username if it’s still available.
How to Delete Your Threads Account
Note: Deleting the Instagram account linked to your Threads profile will also result in the deletion of your Threads profile.
To solely delete your Threads account, go to the Threads.net webpage on a computer and follow these steps:
- Click the two parallel lines located at the bottom left of the page, then select Settings.
- Click on Account at the top, then choose Deactivate or delete profile.
- Select Delete profile.
- Follow any prompts that appear, then click Delete Threads profile.
Please allow 30 days for the deletion request to complete. If you wish to sign up again using the same Instagram profile after deletion, you will need to wait 90 days.
Compiled by Techarena.au.
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