Social Media Account Removal

Data Privacy: How To Delete Your Social Media Accounts

January 01, 2025                                     Brandon Bennett - Data Privacy

Overview

 

In today's digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives. However, there may come a time when you decide it's best to remove your social media presence altogether. Whether it's for privacy, personal well-being, or simply a break from the constant connectivity, deleting your social media accounts is often the most effective way to regain control. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to delete your accounts on Facebook, Twitter (X), Instagram, TikTok, and more, while providing insights into alternative options like deactivation and how to protect your personal data.
 

How to Delete Your Social Media Accounts:
 

If you're determined to delete your social media presence, all major platforms offer the option to remove your account. While the process may differ slightly from one app to another, none of the steps are overly complicated. Below, we'll guide you through the process of deleting your account on some of the most popular social media platforms.

 

Facebook

 

  1. Go to your Facebook settings and select Settings and Privacy.
     
  2. Click on Your Facebook Information.
     

  3. Click on Deactivation and Deletion, then select Delete Account.
     

  4. Click Continue to Account Deletion.
     

  5. Enter your password and click Continue, then select Delete Account.

     

Video: How to Delete Your Facebook Account (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVBK5YWv0IY)

Note: Deletion requests may take 2-3 days to process. If you log back into your Facebook account during this time, your deletion request will be canceled.

 

Twitter (X)

 

  1. Log in to your Twitter/X account.
     

  2. Click on your profile icon and select Settings and Privacy under Settings and Support.
     
  3. Go to Your Account, then click Deactivate Your Account.
     
  4. Confirm deactivation by entering your password and clicking Deactivate.

     

Video: How to Permanently Delete an X Account (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2jsU7QQU2E)

Note: Twitter allows a deactivation period ranging from 30 days to 12 months, after which your username becomes available for others.

 

Instagram

 

  1. Click More in the bottom left, then click Settings.
     

  2. Click Accounts Center, then click Personal details.
     

  3. Click Account ownership and control, then click Deactivation or deletion.
     
  4. Click the account you'd like to permanently delete.
     
  5. Click Delete account, then click Continue.


 

Video: How to Delete A Instagram Account (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayf7kxRy5kM)

Note: After 30 days, your Instagram account and data will be permanently deleted, although it may take up to 90 days for the deletion process to complete.

 

TikTok

 

  1. Log in to TikTok and go to your profile.
     

  2. Tap the three-line icon in the top right corner and select Settings and Privacy.
     

  3. Tap Account > Delete Account.

     

Video: How to Delete A TikTok Account (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1ED7kVsIcw)

Note: Your TikTok account will be deactivated for 30 days before being permanently deleted.

 

Snapchat

 

  1. Visit the Accounts Portal (for Android) or go to Settings within the Snapchat app (iOS).
     

  2. Select Delete Account under Account Actions.

     

Video: How to Permanently Delete Snapchat Account (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DIVPRE3XNs)

Note: Your Snapchat account will enter a 30-day deactivation period before it is permanently deleted.

 

LinkedIn

 

  1. Click on your profile icon and select Settings & Privacy.
     

  2. Under Account Preferences, click Change next to Account Management.
     
  3. Enter your password and click Close Account.

     

Video: How to Delete LinkedIn Account Permanently (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-rN7CINPEU)

Note: You may reopen your LinkedIn account within 14 days, but some data may be lost, such as endorsements or invitations.

 

YouTube

 

  1. Sign in to YouTube and go to Settings.
     
  2. Navigate to Channel > Advanced Settings and select Remove YouTube Content.
     
  3. Choose I want to permanently delete my content, check the confirmation boxes, and click Delete My Content.


 

Video: How to Delete YouTube Account Permanently (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlSu5k0VItI)

Note: Once deleted, your account cannot be reactivated, and your posts and comments will remain visible unless you manually delete them.

 

Reddit

 

  1. Go to Account Settings and select Delete Account.
     
  2. If you used Google or Apple to sign up, disconnect these accounts under Connected Accounts.

     

Video: How to Delete Reddit Account Permanently (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA0ilwpBK3g)

Note: Once deleted, your account cannot be reactivated, and your posts and comments will remain visible unless you manually delete them.

 

Pinterest

 

  1. Log in to Pinterest and go to Settings.
     
  2. Click on Account Management and then Delete Account.
     
  3. You’ll be asked to confirm the deletion via email.
     


Video: How to Delete Pinterest Account (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azu7sPI8A1A)

 

How to Delete the Corresponding Social Media Apps

 

To completely remove a social media account, you should also delete the corresponding app from your phone.

 

iPhone

 

  1. Touch and hold the app you want to delete.
     
  2. Tap Remove App.
     
  3. Tap Delete App and then confirm by selecting Delete.



Video: How to Delete Apps on iPhone (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd2EsR7PWuw)

 

Android

 

  1. Go to Settings and select Apps.
     
  2. Choose the app you want to delete.
     
  3. Tap Uninstall and press OK.



Video: How to Delete Apps on an Android Device (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm4UNg9GOUE)
 

Note: Alternatively, you can delete apps via the Google Play Store by selecting Manage Apps & Device and clicking the trash can icon next to the app.

 

Should You Delete, Disable, or Deactivate Your Account?

 

Depending on your goals, you may want to either disable or delete your account. Disabling or deactivating an account temporarily removes your social media presence without losing your data, while deletion permanently removes all traces of your profile.
 

If you want to permanently delete your account and all associated information, ensure that you download any important data before proceeding, as some platforms don’t offer a way to recover your content once deleted. You can also use data removal services to request the deletion of your data from brokers and other online sources.

 

Data Removal Services

 

If you're looking to remove your personal information from the internet, services like DeleteMe and Incogni can help. These services scan the web for your data and work to have it removed from various sources.

 

  • DeleteMe: Offers data removal from over 750 data broker sites and provides quarterly privacy reports.
     
  • Incogni: Removes data from 180+ brokers and provides a detailed breakdown of data collection.
     
  • HelloPrivacy: Scans data brokers and removes sensitive information for you, with a free scan option.
     


Conclusion
 

Whether you're simply taking a break from social media or permanently removing your online presence, following the correct steps for deletion is essential. Don’t forget to review your data beforehand and take necessary precautions to protect your privacy with data removal services if needed.
 

For a deeper dive into managing your digital footprint, explore our other guides on privacy and security.

January 01, 2025        Brandon Bennett - Data Privacy