how do you delete your ashley madison account

How to Delete Your Ashley Madison Account: A Step-by-Step Guide

Deleting your Ashley Madison account involves more than just logging out. Due to the nature of the platform and its emphasis on privacy (or lack thereof, historically), permanently removing your profile and data requires specific steps. This guide details the process of fully deleting your Ashley Madison account.

Why Delete Your Ashley Madison Account?

There are many reasons why someone might want to delete their Ashley Madison account. Perhaps you’ve found a committed relationship and no longer require the services, or you may be concerned about privacy and data security. Whatever the reason, it’s important to know how to properly remove your information from the platform.

Deleting Your Ashley Madison Account: The Steps

Basic Deactivation (Not Recommended for Full Removal)

Ashley Madison offers a basic deactivation option, but this doesn’t fully delete your profile. It simply hides it from other users. Your information remains on their servers. To fully delete your account, you need to choose the “full delete” option.

Full Delete: Permanent Removal of Your Data

The full delete option claims to remove your profile, photos, and message history from Ashley Madison’s servers. Keep in mind that due to past controversies related to data breaches, it’s important to understand that even after deletion, some data might persist in backups or logs. Here’s how to initiate the full delete:

1. Log in to your Ashley Madison account.
2. Navigate to your profile settings. This may be under “Settings” or “Manage Profile.”
3. Look for the “Delete Profile” or “Terminate Account” option. This is often buried deep within the settings.
4. Choose the “Full Delete” option. Be very careful to select the full delete, not the basic deactivation.
5. You may be prompted with further options or offers to stay. Proceed with the full delete.
6. You may need to confirm your decision by entering your password.
7. Check for a confirmation email. After initiating the deletion, check your email (the one associated with your Ashley Madison account) for a confirmation message. This confirms that the deletion process has started.
8. Consider contacting customer support. If you don’t receive a confirmation email or are unsure if the deletion was successful, contact Ashley Madison’s customer support to confirm.

Cost of Full Deletion (May Vary)

In the past, Ashley Madison charged a fee for a full delete. It’s essential to verify the current policy regarding deletion fees on their website. Check the “Terms and Conditions” or “Privacy Policy” for details.

Important Considerations After Deletion

Even after a full delete, understand that Ashley Madison’s privacy policy and data breach history mean your data might not be entirely gone. Be mindful of the information you shared on the platform.

FAQs

Is deleting my Ashley Madison account free?

It depends on their current policy. In the past, a full delete cost money. Check their website for the most up-to-date information on deletion fees.

How long does it take to delete my Ashley Madison account?

The process should be initiated immediately, but it may take some time for the data to be fully removed from their systems. Check for a confirmation email.

What’s the difference between deactivating and deleting my account?

Deactivating hides your profile, while deleting aims to remove your data from Ashley Madison’s servers. Choose “full delete” for complete removal.

Can I reactivate my Ashley Madison account after deleting it?

Generally, no. A full deletion is intended to be permanent. You would need to create a new account if you wish to use the service again.

What happens to my photos and messages after I delete my account?

They should be removed from the visible areas of the site. However, past breaches indicate that data retention policies should be treated with skepticism.

Summary

Completely deleting your Ashley Madison account requires initiating a “full delete” through your profile settings. Follow the steps carefully, confirm the process, and understand the potential limitations regarding complete data removal. Always refer to Ashley Madison’s current terms and conditions and privacy policy for the most accurate and up-to-date information.