Users Complain that Facebook, Like Herpes, Just Doesn't Go Away
Oct. 27 2008, Published 7:07 a.m. ET
LIFETIME MEMBER Facebook Facebook's invasive Beacon advertising platform isn't the only aspect of the company that is raising privacy concerns. According to a story in today's New York Times, the Palo Alto-based outfit has made it dam near impossible for users to delete unwanted accounts, infuriating a lot of those who no longer want their Pokes and wall posts and e-mail addresses broadcast to friends and colleagues online.
It seems those who wish to remove themselves from Facebook's archives must first undertake a Herculean series of tasks ranging from individually deleting every piece of information in their profiles to sending e-mails to Facebook representatives requesting permanent deletion—and even then might not be successful. "It's like the Hotel California," a user who tried for two months to delete his account tells the Times. "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."