# Allow users to request deletion/anonymization with a button
**URL:** https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398
**Category:** Feature
**Created:** [February 20, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398 "2025-02-20T18:21:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@dfabulich](https://meta.discourse.org/u/dfabulich)
#### Post date: [February 20, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398/1 "2025-02-20T18:21:28Z")
Users can delete themselves if they haven’t been around too long, but after that, they have to contact a moderator or admin.
But I think all users should have a “Delete My Account” button that, at the very least, just sends an automated message to mods saying “User X requested deletion, click here to anonymize or delete their account.”
As I wrote in the other thread about self-anonymizing:
> [@Users self-deleting/anonymizing?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/users-self-deleting-anonymizing/267657/10):
>
> The kind of person who wants to be deleted is usually having _very_ strong feelings about it, and it seems like the lack of a “Delete My Account” button aggravates those feelings.
>
> When a user is so upset that they want to delete their account, and then find that they can’t, they tend to feel trapped in a cage. When they do get around to “simply contact a moderator,” they’re upset and _angry_.
>
> These users typically _demand_ that their account be deleted. They make threats, legal and otherwise. They are not at all open to a nuanced conversation about deletion vs. anonymization.
>
> I just got another one of these this week, and I _really_ don’t want to deal with another one.
Furthermore, if the user’s not allowed to send private messages, they have to email us; it’s a hassle to confirm that they are who they say they are.
This should just be a button.
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### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2025, 1:21am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398/2 "2025-02-21T01:21:10Z")
Don has a #Customization > Theme component for that
> [@Account Deletion Request](https://meta.discourse.org/t/account-deletion-request/245037):
>
> information_sourceSummary Add Account Deletion Request dropdown to account page.hammer_and_wrenchRepository [GitHub - VaperinaDEV/discourse-account-deletion-request: Add Account Deletion Request dropdown to account page. · GitHub](https://github.com/VaperinaDEV/discourse-account-deletion-request)questionInstall Guide [How to install a theme or theme component](https://meta.discourse.org/t/how-do-i-install-a-theme-or-theme-component/63682)open_bookNew to Discourse Themes? [Beginner’s guide to using Discourse Themes](https://meta.discourse.org/t/beginners-guide-to-using-discourse-themes/91966) Hello wave This is a theme component to add an account deletion request dropdown to the accoun…
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### Author:  [@dfabulich](https://meta.discourse.org/u/dfabulich)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2025, 1:24am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398/3 "2025-02-21T01:24:38Z")
When the user can’t send private messages, the theme component only shows a button that displays a dialog. Presumably I’d put an email address in there for them to use, but, again, I’d then have to verify that the email is coming from the actual user.
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### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2025, 1:25am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398/4 "2025-02-21T01:25:16Z")
If you’re self hosted and not wanting to allow pm out side of staff you may need this plugin.
> [@Allow-pm-to-staff](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-pm-to-staff/260946):
>
> information_sourceSummary Allow all users to PM Staffhammer_and_wrenchRepository Link [https://github.com/pfaffman/discourse-allow-pm-to-staff](https://github.com/pfaffman/discourse-allow-pm-to-staff)open_bookInstall Guide [How to install plugins in Discourse](https://meta.discourse.org/t/install-plugins-in-discourse/19157)Features Allow users to send a PM to staff even if they would not otherwise be able to send a PM. Configuration allow\_pm\_to\_staff\_enabled–Enables the plugin (default true) allow\_pm\_allowed\_pm\_groups–Set groups who can receive PMs from all users (default “staff”). S…
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### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2025, 1:26am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398/5 "2025-02-21T01:26:45Z")
Yeah just posted a plugin that may help if you’re self hosted. Otherwise you might need to adjust pm permissions.
The team really should merged the plugin to core imho.
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### Author:  [@pfaffman](https://meta.discourse.org/u/pfaffman)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2025, 1:56am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398/6 "2025-02-21T01:56:40Z")
> [@Heliosurge](#):
>
> The team really should merged the plugin to core imho.
You say the sweetest things.
I don’t have any info on how many people use it, but it does seem like a good idea.
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### Author:  [@Heliosurge](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Heliosurge)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398/7 "2025-02-21T02:01:33Z")
Well imho and I imagine yours as well as others. Agree that members of a forum should as your plugin says be able to send pm to staff. Tbh I am surprised this isn’t part of core already. Even if just a toggle.
Even Don’s account deletion request should also imho be added to core. But being a TC not as much of an issue as can be easily installed by the majority.
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### Author:  [@Canapin](https://meta.discourse.org/u/Canapin)
#### Post date: [February 21, 2025, 12:29pm UTC](https://meta.discourse.org/t/allow-users-to-request-deletion-anonymization-with-a-button/353398/8 "2025-02-21T12:29:21Z")
> [@Users self-deleting/anonymizing?](https://meta.discourse.org/t/users-self-deleting-anonymizing/267657/10):
>
> The kind of person who wants to be deleted is usually having _very_ strong feelings about it, and it seems like the lack of a “Delete My Account” button aggravates those feelings.
Perhaps it’s the case in general. For my forums it isn’t. I never asked the reason for which they wanted their account deleted, but they were all nice, patient and most of them were okay with anonymization instead.
They may not reflect the majority of users from other communities, but I think my experience is worth sharing 🙂