When we say \u201cgood-bye\u201d in English, it is usually just\u00a0 temporary.\u00a0 In Slovak, there is a special form of\u00a0 farewell that means \u201cgood-bye forever\u201d (also used as a respectful way of addressing seniors): \u201cZbohom\u201d (literally \u2018beyond God\u2019). So let\u2019s say that you have tried to remove your Facebook account by \u201cdeactivating\u201d it (see my\u00a0\u201dBreaking up, part I\u201d), only to discover that all of your information remains behind, just where you left it, to pop up the next time you log in.<\/p>\n
In fact, there is no self-directed way (that I know of) to remove your Facebook file without first doing the online equivalent of crying \u201chelp\u201d!<\/p>\n
So you visit the FB Help Center, and perhaps notice that the most commonly asked question is \u201cHow do I permanently delete my account?\u201d\u00a0 Clicking there, FB attempts to dissuade you from what it describes as \u201ceffectively disappear[ing] from the Facebook service.\u201d Perhaps a more reasonable course to take would to \u201cdeactivate,\u201d FB argues, but if you decide to disappear from the service, you should note that your account will be (and this FB underscores by writing in bold print) \u201cpermanently deleted with no option for recovery\u201d.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0You are informed that must again click to \u201csubmit a request . . .\u201d<\/p>\n Which, if you make bold to do\u00a0, . .<\/p>\n Results in a string of warnings: \u201cYou will not be able to reactivate your account or retrieve any of the content or information you have provided.\u201d\u00a0 Undeterred, you again click \u201csubmit,\u201d and FB ominously responds with the first of a series of \u00a0\u201cAre you sure?\u201d proceeding to ask you to verify your password and to supply two security code words.\u00a0 If you are (still perversely)\u00a0OK with that,\u00a0 you click on \u201cokay\u201d. . . .<\/p>\n Only to find out that again your have merely \u201cdeactivated\u201d your account, and that a permanent removal requires a 14 day waiting period!\u00a0 You are reminded that you may cancel this process (so much for not being able to reactivate your account).\u00a0 Still want to delete?\u00a0 Fatalistically now, you tap \u201cokay\u201d yet again, at which point you are given a\u00a0timeline for when your account will be deleted.\u00a0 The timer has been engaged; you are scheduled for deletion.\u00a0 FB repeats, \u201cAre you sure?\u201d giving you the option to cancel or confirm your deletion.\u00a0 Swallowing gravely, you tap \u201cconfirm.\u201d<\/p>\n At this point, if you can\u2019t help but wonder what FB limbo looks like, you see what happens when you try to log back in to your account.\u00a0 You are greeted with the reassurance that your account is (only) deactivated (e.g. momentarily covered), but\u00a0scheduled for deletion.\u00a0 More repercussions are described. If you do not stop this process, do you know you will lose your photos in addition to your account? (So much for not being able to retrieve any of your content or information you have provided)<\/p>\n FB\u2019s final plead: \u201cplease log into Facebook before [XX\/XX\/XXXX]\u201d; you will then remain connected.<\/p>\n Zbohom. . . Apparently, not translatable into FB.<\/p>\n See ya, FB.<\/p>\n (Thanks to my student Jody Reaves for bringing this process to my attention)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When we say \u201cgood-bye\u201d in English, it is usually just\u00a0 temporary.\u00a0 In Slovak, there is a special form of\u00a0 farewell that means \u201cgood-bye forever\u201d (also used as a respectful way of addressing seniors): \u201cZbohom\u201d (literally \u2018beyond God\u2019). So let\u2019s say … Continue reading