Instagram Adds Option to Delete Account in iOS App to Comply With App Store Rules

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Instagram this week implemented support for a new option that allows an Instagram account to be deleted directly within the Instagram app. Instagram is now in compliance with an updated App Store Guideline that requires all apps that offer account creation to also offer account deletion.

Instagram Feature 2
Apple told developers that apps offering account creation must also support account deletion starting on June 30, 2022, so Instagram waited for the deadline to add the feature.

According to Apple's guidelines, apps must make it easy for users to find the account deletion option, and it is insufficient for an app to offer to temporarily disable or deactivate an account. An account must be able to be deleted, along with all personal data.

delete instagram account
As noted by TechCrunch, prior to now Instagram users had to log into a web browser on a desktop computer or a mobile device to delete their accounts. There was also an in-app option for deactivating account, but as mentioned up above, Apple is requiring full account deletion options.

Instagram accounts can be deleted in the Instagram app by opening up the settings, selecting account, and choosing the delete account option. Instagram lets users choose between deleting or deactivating their account, with the delete option removing all content permanently.

There is a 30-day period in which you can change your mind about deleting your account because Apple's guidelines allow for a delay before an account is permanently removed. Those who log back into Instagram after requesting deletion will be able to stop the deletion.

In a statement to TechCrunch, Instagram said that it wanted to "give people more ways to control their experience and time spent on Instagram," without mentioning that it is an Apple requirement.

Tag: Instagram

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
sniffies
16 months ago
Sure, the frontend side of things may be deleted, but the backend (including all your data) is never fully purged, especially by the companies like Facebook. And there's nothing you or anyone can do about it. Unless their servers are seized by FBI and intentionally destroyed, your data will live on forever. You'll have to pry those servers from Zuck's cold, dead hands.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ddtmm Avatar
ddtmm
16 months ago

and it is insufficient for an app to offer to temporarily disable or deactivate an account. An account must be able to be deleted, along with all personal data.
You gotta know that ain’t gonna happen on the backend.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
antiprotest Avatar
antiprotest
16 months ago


and it is insufficient for an app to offer to temporarily disable or deactivate an account. An account must be able to be deleted, along with all personal data.
You gotta know that ain’t gonna happen on the backend.

Yeah I assume

"deactivated" means "not deleted, but suspended and visible to you," and

"deleted" means "not deleted, but suspended and hidden from you."
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
contacos Avatar
contacos
16 months ago

Sure, the frontend side of things may be deleted, but the backend (including all your data) is never fully purged, especially by the companies like Facebook. And there's nothing you or anyone can do about it. Unless their servers are seized by FBI and intentionally destroyed, your data will live on forever. You'll have to pry those servers from Zuck's cold, dead hands.
That would be illegal under GDPR but for some reason they only seem to go after small players, so who knows
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
now i see it
16 months ago
Wish they had an app delete button in the App Store update list
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JKAussieSkater Avatar
JKAussieSkater
16 months ago

Sure, the frontend side of things may be deleted, but the backend (including all your data) is never fully purged, especially by the companies like Facebook. And there's nothing you or anyone can do about it. Unless their servers are seized by FBI and intentionally destroyed, your data will live on forever. You'll have to pry those servers from Zuck's cold, dead hands.

You gotta know that ain’t gonna happen on the backend.

Yeah I assume

"deactivated" means "not deleted, but suspended and visible to you," and

"deleted" means "not deleted, but suspended and hidden from you."
I don't mean to insult any of you, but that suspicion seems more like paranoid speculation than a knowing presumption.

Assuming companies properly delete account data and purge the information rather than hoarding it, Apple has made an excellent policy here that I hope will become industry standard or a legislated regulation.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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