How do you handle account deletion requests?

[MrEyes]

As a forum admin how do you deal with requests from members to have their account deleted?

Rather than a member leaving their account dormant, in recent months I have seen an increase in these types of requests. Typically it is also accompanied with a request to have all their posts deleted as well.

Currently I advise members that they can only request deletion via a PM from the account to be deleted to a site administrator. I also advise them that it is their responsibility to delete any content they have submitted before the account is deleted.

I also warn that deleting posts etc is to some degree useless as they may have been quoted or their submission copied to another site, cached by search engines/ISP's etc, on backups etc etc etc.

So what do you do?

EDIT : Until recently I would advise that account deletion was not possible, however since the "facebook" legal action recently I now delete accounts and mark any posts as being posted by "Deleted User"

[UaECasher]

Well for me, I wouldn't delete their account "just leave it there" and for the post if they have good reason for deleting it then go ahead and delete them

[Lynne]

I delete the account but not the posts (unless there is a good reason to delete the post).

[Digital Jedi]

I tell my users that we generally don't delete accounts. In truth, I never delete accounts unless they've been dormant (as in not logged in) for over two three years and they have 0 posts. It's a small forum as it is, and deleting posts just gives me what I consider to be unattractive guest posts throughout the forum. I don't see any reason as to why they need be deleted. I don't know what they think is going to happen if they just don't login anymore. Fined?

[Videx]

The ultimate question is: Who owns the posts - the author or me?

We've added language to our rules that specify we own the non-exclusive right to publish all posts, meaning don't bother asking us to delete your posts.

We also have language about modifying our db in general, which includes account deletions. Apply in writing to a mod, then wait 30 days for a response, then if granted, wait for a 60 day cooling off period. Hopefully by then they'll have forgotten about it.

[iLLoGIc]

i would update your literature when signing up state your policy on removing accounts and that the posts remain unless they delete them before hand. I like that assign to x user on delete feature.

I think users are just more concerned on having their email address floating around in someones system.

[Wordplay]

depending on the forum.

i never delete posts, users made, but in some cases i would delete the user, but on the main board, i would just place him in the inactive usergroup, which i named deleted member. and change their usertitle to deleted user, so people still know who posted the rubbish they are usually trying to make people forget by having themselves deleted.