Meta-owned social media app Instagram is now rolling out a new option that gives users the option to delete or deactivate their Instagram accounts on iOS to comply with Apple’s updated App Store Review Guidelines, and TechCrunch reports. The guidelines now state that all apps that offer account creation must also include in-app account deletion.
Until now, users had to log into Instagram via a web browser on a desktop or mobile phone to delete their accounts. The company says it’s now introducing the option in its iOS app. Earlier, users could deactivate their accounts through the app, but that didn’t delete their data from Instagram’s servers. The app itself doesn’t offer any information about a complete deletion option, so many users may have just deactivated their accounts rather than deleting them entirely.
“We want to give people more ways to control their experience and time on Instagram. We’ve rolled out the option to delete an account in Settings on iOS, and you still have the option to temporarily deactivate your account until you choose to delete it,” a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.
If a user performs an account deletion on the app, they still have 30 days to prevent Instagram from deleting their account. That’s in line with Apple’s guidelines, as the company says it’s acceptable if account deletion takes time after it’s initiated. However, it also does the same thing as deactivation, i.e. it gives users a cooling-off period during which they can reconsider leaving the app altogether. If they launch the app again during this time, their account will no longer be queued for deletion.
In May, Apple notified developers that it would enforce a policy that would force account deletion in apps starting June 30. Apps that don’t follow those rules could face review delays when submitting updates, the Cupertino-based company said.
“If your app supports account creation, you must also provide account deletion functionality in your app,” the company said in its guidelines. “Apps must not require users to enter personal information to enable functionality, except in connection with the core of the app. directly related to the functionality or required by law.”
The company has mentioned that simply offering to deactivate accounts is not enough. It states that apps should offer “deletion of the entire account record, along with associated personal data. You can include additional options, but it is not enough to provide temporary deactivation or disabling of an account”.
As shown in the screenshot above, Instagram still emphasizes the deactivation option as the primary option, using a large blue button that encourages users to click through. Meanwhile, the delete option below is not highlighted.
Other apps are now also complying with Apple’s new policy. Meta-owned WhatsApp and Signal offer account deletion features in their apps, but Spotify – a frequent critic of Apple and an antitrust agitator – only provides a link to an account deletion page. Telegram also doesn’t offer an option to delete an account.
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