If a user requests me to delete his account on my forum, do I need to?

Am I legally obligated to delete an account on my forum just because a user requests me to? vBulletin doesnt have an automated way to do this and it is really an annoying process.

Thanks,
-Chris

 

It's an annoying process, and not automated... Sounds like you have hundreds of people wanting to delete their accounts? Sorry I don't know about the legal aspect, but it sounds like there's something really wrong with your forum if so many people are jumping ship like that. Normally people would just stop visiting, but you have a mass exodus of people wanting complete deletion from the system! Anyway since this is the Legal Issues forum, I guess I should just be quiet and not suggest that you respect the wishes of your forum members, regardless of the legal requirements...

 

Just delete it, it is easier than fighting with someone.

 

Nah, its really only like once or twice a month but I'm lazy when it comes to that.

 

Change the personally identifying information in the account profile (e.g. username, email address, etc.) and then just ban the account. If you state in your terms of service that posts made to your forum become the property of your forum you should be safe in regards to not having to delete those posts unless they violate someone else's copyrights and the real copyright owner complains.

 

I see most forums don't delete the accounts. If the user want's to have the account removed, he/she actually won't use the forum again. Just let them go...

Boby

 

Well, actually I had requested my account to be removed once because I could not access the old account and the email address attached to it is no longer active. I had to start a new account and did not want to break any forum policy by having two accounts.

Just delete the accounts as requested. Some people can be hard to deal with if they do not get their way.

 

Let's assume they have legal recourse for a moment. What would be your possible defense to the judge? Your honor, I did not remove their account, because it would have taken me a couple minutes of work to do so.

Not sure that would go over well. It's best to take a minute and delete them. Point to what others do if you feel better.

 

they could always login and change the account information to faluse info so they would not have to worry about ever being notified again

 

I know of no law that would REQUIRE you to delete someone from your forum, just because they asked.

They can change most items in their profile. You are not compelled to do it, it is entirely up to you.

The question is why would you want to have someone around who does not want to be there? They may only potentially cause problems in the future.

Might be best to add another usergroup of hidden users, and when someone asks to be deleted just move their account there and basically ban them. Then when they come back in a few months and want their old account back you can just put it back for them.

 

Here is the path for deleting a User in vBulletin:

Admin CP >> (Find User) Search for Users >> (Options) Delete User

 

Or you could use a tool that makes the deletion process easier :

http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/showthread.php?t=102789

 

Here's another thing to think about.

If these users posted on your site, asked to be removed and you failed to do so, are you violating their copyright? They created content on your website. You had (presumably) no part in the creative process and really have no license to use once you have been notified.

I know this is an extreme thought, but one worth thinking about. While the user could easily delete their account, how easily can they delete all their posts?

 

I'm pretty sure the T&C agreements most forums allow you to include during reg. ensure that the forum owner owns all copyrights.

 

What does the user get in compensation for giving up the copyright? If nothing, the terms are not legal. Both parties need to have considerations for a contract to be legal. I am not sure being given allowed to post on a forum will qualify as a proper consideration for giving up all copyright ownership.

Who knows. Just throwing out some possible thoughts to ponder.

 

hopefully ur forum is not sending out unwanted msgs.....or ads....

many forums doesnt delete accounts....

 

If the user request his account to get deleted then the best way is to do that,why you should keep someone which dont want to be a member on your forum in members list

 

Yes it is legal. The forum owner is providing the user access to their community and resources and promotional opportunities within. As long as the user agrees to the TOS, yes the forum owner can retain copyrights if they choose to in a legal sense.

Jenn

 

shure. that is the point.

i think you should put in TOS: "you write posts, but forum owns them. content belongs to forum and admin decides if posts or members should be deleted".

so if a user want to be deleted, he can ask but he can not demand.