Why can't you delete your details?

ploddingalong_2

If someone doesn't want an email address given to remain "on the books" what can they do. Why is it not possible simply to delete this information? I would have thought the data protection act would cover being able to remove such information, but maybe I'm wrong??

Premier_2

You can change your email address in the CP.

When you provide personal details to a company, you can't demand that company deletes it.
You can only request a copy of information held.

When you signed up to this site it was on the basis such membership could not be cancelled by you. Membership is free and you are under no obligation to continue using the service.

ploddingalong_2

Thanks for the reply. I don't remember signing up to that I could not cancel my membership, but will take your word for it. I wonder why on earth that would be? What purpose does it serve to have "members" who are effectively not "members" any more? I assume MSE retains it's right to cancel anyone's membership though?

So I can change my email address, but what's the point of giving another of my email addresses? Or are you saying I have to create another email address solely for the purpose of giving one I don't care about to MSE? What an absolute waste of time. I really don't understand why the easier, and cleaner route of deleting the original email address cannot be taken. It seems MSE are just creating problems where none need to exist.

mjm3346

Just use [EMAIL="abc123@globe.com"]abc123@globe.com[/EMAIL] or make up another one to your choice.

Premier_2

ploddingalong wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I don't remember signing up to that I could not cancel my membership, but will take your word for it. I wonder why on earth that would be? What purpose does it serve to have "members" who are effectively not "members" any more? I assume MSE retains it's right to cancel anyone's membership though?

So I can change my email address, but what's the point of giving another of my email addresses? Or are you saying I have to create another email address solely for the purpose of giving one I don't care about to MSE? What an absolute waste of time. I really don't understand why the easier, and cleaner route of deleting the original email address cannot be taken. It seems MSE are just creating problems where none need to exist.

How can I delete my username and posts?
We do not remove usernames or past posts. It disrupts the history of the forum for all users.
If you don't want to post on the forum any more, simply stop posting. No one else will use that account. However, if there are specific posts of yours which cause you concern - contact [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL] for help. Remember you are able to delete your own posts.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/forum-faqs

If for any reason you are unable to log into your MSE account, (e.g. PPR'd, lost login password, etc) the only way MSE can contact you is via email.

ploddingalong_2

Premier wrote: »

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/site/forum-faqs

If for any reason you are unable to log into your MSE account, (e.g. PPR'd, lost login password, etc) the only way MSE can contact you is via email.

I accept that for active members an email is required. What I don't understand is why for a member who leaves, they cannot remove their email. The site doesn't need this information when someone leaves.

Given the breech of security that has arisen with usernames/ email addresses, I think it unwarranted of MSE to refuse the removal of such information without the farce of creating a new substitute email address

Just my point of view.

omen666

You could always ask Skeg to remove it

Premier_2

ploddingalong wrote: »

I accept that for active members an email is required. What I don't understand is why for a member who leaves, they cannot remove their email. The site doesn't need this information when someone leaves. ....

Because as already informed, a member can't opt to close their account.

They can stop using it if they wish, and likewise can return to it whenever they want.

I just came across one poster who made their second post after their initial one when they joined 6 years ago.

Angelic

I hate the way sites won't let you leave without them still having an email address on file. It's annoying but when I changed username last year I used a dormant email account so I could still use my daily email account for my new account (I changed foe personal reasons after someone offline contacted me and i'm not an AE before anyone starts mithering me) .
One tip if worried about privacy is to tick the "Disable private messages" option so the site can't contact you again and move the profile to a dormant account , i've done this with a couple of sites this year. I hope this makes sense but it's a pain and I wish sites would allow you to delete accounts , even if the posts remained.