User self-anonymization

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AI-generated summary

In a discussion titled ‘User self-anonymization’ under the Feature category, jacotec proposes allowing users to self-delete or anonymize their accounts, especially in light of GDPR, with verification via email to prevent abuse. sam strongly opposes self-service account deletion, calling it a risky overreaction to a non-issue and suggesting waiting a few months for things to settle. codinghorror agrees that some friction is necessary for self-destructive actions and supports the current policy that allows instant self-deletion only for new accounts with few posts, calling it the correct balance. The debate centers on user autonomy versus system safety and abuse prevention.

1

Sometimes users are requesting via PM or eMail to have their accounts deleted. With the GDPR they of course also have the right to.

Although this is just some clicks for me, they sometimes have a different email, so I need to send them an email/PN back to the original one in the forum to prove it’s not someone else requesting the erase.

I think it would be extremely handy to modify the ability of the users to delete their own account over the existing 1-posts/3days-limit. In case the account can’t be deleted, the system should anonymize it.

I’d suggest that an email is sent to the user which has requested the erase/anonymization. The link in the email then finally performs the action.

What do you think?

2

Strongly against self service here, this would be a knee jerk response to a non problem with extreme risk

Yes stuff may be a bit tumultuous now, but give stuff a month or 2 to settle down

6 Likes
3

You want a mild amount of friction around self destructive activities. The current “allow instant self delete for new accounts with only a few posts” is the correct balance.

3 Likes
4

Closed in favour of Users self-deleting/anonymizing?