Why Can't I Delete My Posts or Account at CC?

Roger_Dooley · 01-14-2008, 08:15 PM

This is really a two part issue. First, all posts have a limited edit window so that members can't change their posts after others have replied. "I'd never do that!" you say... perhaps YOU wouldn't, but I've seen it happen many times in communities where the edit time is too long. People make a hasty post, or state something incorrectly, and go back and fix it after others have pointed out the problem; good for the first post, but then the replies look misguided.

The longer term issue is the purpose of CC - we expect the threads to be a lasting archive of information for both present and future members. We're like Wikipedia in that respect, but we're in the form of a discussion forum. If we let members remove their posts in the middle of lengthy discussions, the integrity of the threads would be compromised. In many cases, the thoughtful replies of other members that took them a long time to write would be rendered meaningless. So, in fairness to the members who took the time to participate in the same threads as you, as well as future generations of CCers, we can't mass-delete posts.

OK, what CAN I do? At any time, you can edit your profile to change, hide, or remove any identifying information.

If you posted some EXTREMELY sensitive information (like your SS number - yes, it's been done), use the "report post" link with a short explanation so that the content can be edited. Please do NOT report posts that you simply regret, like calling everyone at BigState U a moron - our mods are all volunteers, and we don't have the resources to chase down posts that members decided they didn't like.

Getting CC Emails You Don't Want?You can also unsubscribe from any thread or forum notifications, and/or change your notification preferences by editing your profile.

Thanks for your understanding and cooperation!

sdchargers · 03-27-2008, 02:07 AM

how do you change your screen name?

CDN_dancer · 03-27-2008, 03:00 AM

You can't.

hopefulapplicant · 04-20-2008, 08:12 PM

i've created a new account...is there any way this one can be deleted?

Coopjust · 04-21-2008, 05:03 PM

You're not supposed to have more than one screen name according to the Terms of Service. They usually won't delete accounts because it destroys the context of old posts.

allidoiswait · 04-22-2008, 04:54 PM

I'd still like to know how to delete THIS account. I don't have two. I don't care how it affects "old posts".

I no longer wish to be a member of college confidential, and I can't seem to find any way to remove myself. Saying I can change my profile/email settings isn't good enough, if I don't wish to be a part of this community, I should be allowed to leave. Most other networking sites just have a "no longer a member tag", and allow the posts to stay. Why EXACTLY isn't that an option here?

If I'm just being an idiot today, please let me know---and tell me where to find the elusive delete button. But if there IS no delete button, we've got a problem.

RaNe · 04-22-2008, 11:32 PM

If you create a thread that has no replies, is there a way to get it deleted?

Thanks in advance.

prestoguy · 04-29-2008, 04:50 AM

hi, can someone please delete my account on here. thank you.

Sligh_Anarchist · 04-29-2008, 07:05 AM

Your account cannot be deleted. If we deleted you, then there would holes in the archives.

allidoiswait · 05-03-2008, 01:07 PM

There are many sites that allow people to delete their accounts, but don't seem to have problems leaving the posts up. Sometimes the name is simply changed to "Unknown User", sometimes the name is left up, with the tagline "no longer a user". I can't understand why this isn't the case here.

To sum up: I no longer wish to be associated with this community. If I had known when I signed up that I would not be allowed to remove my account, I would NOT have signed up. Your terms of service do not state anything about this problem, and without notification of your policy in your TOS, I can't see how you can keep me here.

As Facebook learned in the national media spotlight recently, it's a bad idea to not allow your users to leave. Hey, Facebook, just let go of me - Times Online

Again, I want my account to be deleted. And I want that to happen now. Mods and Admins, feel free to contact me personally about this. It would be nice if someone actually responded this time, unlike last time.