Reddit is a well-known platform for informative content and active discussions, providing thorough how-to instructions for permanently closing your account and deleting all of your postings to disconnect from the site completely.
Due to prior data privacy issues, Reddit may be a difficult and complex digital experience. Users have expressed uneasiness about social media platforms like Reddit because they share user data with third parties. Many firms still have work to do, even though GDPR compliance helps address these concerns. Reddit does not widely advertise the option to remove information sharing in your profile settings.
Millions of people use the broad online site Reddit every month. Following the 2016 election, CEO Steve Huffman’s actions created controversy since he changed his username with a critic’s, which involved Trump manipulating user data. Reddit’s IT authority came under criticism after this incident.
Why Reddit has Become Toxic?
Recently, Reddit has faced multiple issues, including removing a ‘warrant canary’ in 2016, a celebrity photo hack, and disagreements with content moderators. Furthermore, in 2018, Reddit started user tracking and sharing data with third parties.
Reddit activates this monitoring function for personalization and advertising, making manual opt-out essential. Unfortunately, many users are unaware of this default setting, restricting their ability to opt-out.
You should know that internet service providers, telecom providers, and app developers can monitor, collect, and sell your online activity. Fortunately, a trustworthy VPN service like ExtremeVPN and ExpressVPN help guard against third parties storing and selling your personal information.
Use a VPN for Reddit If You Still Want to Use the Platform
Although Reddit provides certain privacy options, it is difficult to minimize the amount of personal data it stores. A VPN has become indispensable on Reddit and all social media platforms since it hides your online activity, changes your IP address, and improves your general safety and anonymity. A Reddit VPN allows you to bypass bans and access geo-restricted content.
Reddit can still track your location and account activity, so being aware of that is essential. Use a premium VPN like ExtremeVPN for sound security and privacy in Reddit. The ExtremeVPN is famous for outstanding privacy features, safety, and lightning-fast speeds.
What is the Difference Between Deletion and Deactivation?
Deactivation implies temporarily suspending and concealing your account from others while your data remains on Reddit’s servers. It only takes a few clicks to reactivate. On the other hand, account deletion is a permanent action that removes from Reddit’s servers any information associated with your account, including posts and comments.
Deleting or deactivating depends on when you plan to visit Reddit again. Using the delete option is the best option if you are positive that you won’t be returning.
What Data Does Reddit Keep?
Here’s a summary of the information Reddit maintains.
- Account Detail: Account detail consists of your email address, User name, and profile picture.
- Activity Data: Activity data include voting policy, stored data, the users you follow, voting history, submitted reports, and the communities you’ve joined.
- Transaction History: This covers all the data associated with purchases made on Reddit, including payment methods and billing addresses.
- Content Specifics: This category comprises your posts, chats, comments, moderator messages, private messages, and saved drafts.
- User Profile Information: It contains your device facts, operating system, browser nature, device information, search history, and IP address.
- Reddit Partners Information: Information gathered from third-party platforms or your authorized apps to access your Reddit account. For example, demographic data collected from advertising partners.
- Information from Cookies and Websites: This involves tracking your clicks, language preferences, and other details to personalize advertisements and recommendations.
Reddit collects substantial data, removing it approximately every three months, except for your IP address. However, the law mandates them to retain postings and comments even after deleting an account. Sharing on Reddit should be conducted because anyone can view and share your contributions.
Initial Consideration
To protect your privacy, take your time deleting your Reddit account. Focus on these important points:
- Reddit doesn’t provide temporary account deactivation. Therefore, account deletion is permanent. You cannot use the same username more than once.
- Even if you remove your account, your comments remain marked as “[deleted].” But your posts still contain personal information about you.
- Remember to discontinue your Reddit Premium subscription if you have one.
To obtain a duplicate of your Reddit data, go to the data request webpage, sign in, adhere to the guidelines, and anticipate receiving the data over email or private message in 30 days.
How to Delete Your Reddit Account?
Here are methods you can employ to delete your Reddit account:
For a Reddit Premium Subscription Plan
When you deactivate your account, your Reddit Premium subscription does not end immediately. Please do the following actions to be sure of this:
- If you subscribed using your Apple ID, click Manage Subscriptions in the Apple App Store or Account Settings on your device.
- Go to Google Play’s Subscriptions webpage to learn about Google Play subscriptions.
- To access Reddit Premium under Preapproved Payments, go to Payment Settings after logging in if you used PayPal.
- For credit card subscriptions, visit reddit.com and cancel through the User Settings’ Reddit Premium section.
Deleting Reddit Account on PC
If you want to remove your Reddit account from a computer, follow these instructions:
Deleting Your Comments and Posts
- Log in to your Reddit account.
- At the top of the page, click Posts next to Overview.
- To access the dropdown menu with the “Delete” option, click the three dots that appear over your post.
- Click Delete to remove the post, and do the same for the comments.
How to Delete Your Reddit Account
- S User Settings from the top right corner of your screen.
- Scroll down to the bottom and click the red Delete Account button.
- When you choose Delete Account, Reddit will ask you for a reason for the deletion.
- Click Delete to continue after entering your login and password and checking the box below.
- Click Delete again to confirm your selection in the window.
- To disconnect an account made using Google or Apple ID, go to the Connected Accounts tab and select Disconnect next to the appropriate account.
Deleting Reddit Accounts on Mobile Devices
Follow these steps to stop using the Reddit mobile app:
- Open the Reddit application on your mobile phone.
- Select Settings by clicking the profile symbol in the upper-left corner.
- Find and select Deactivate Account from the settings.
- Confirm your selection, justify, and input your password as instructed. Then select Deactivate.
Update Your Reddit Privacy Settings
Follow these easy steps to modify your privacy settings so that you can keep your account and limit data collection:
- Open the Reddit website and log in.
- Click on your username in the top right corner, then select User Settings.
- Click on the Safety & Privacy tab.
- Remove any unnecessary settings found in the Privacy section.
Clear Your Reddit History
Reddit offers a feature that allows you to go back and view past postings by logging each one you click on. Still, this post history is visible to others accessing your Reddit account. Therefore, for privacy, it is advised that you regularly delete your Reddit history.
How to Clear Your Reddit History on Android
To delete your Reddit account on an Android device, follow the below steps:
- Launch the Reddit App using your Android smartphone and tap your Avatar in the right corner.
- Choose the History tab.
- In the top right corner, tap the three dots.
- To finish the procedure, click Clear History.
How to Clear Your Reddit History on iPhone
Follow these instructions to remove your iPhone’s Reddit history:
- Tap your Avatar on your iPhone’s top right corner of the Reddit app.
- Select the Settings tab at the bottom.
- Select the “Clear Local History” menu option.
Clear Your Reddit History on PC
Follow these instructions to remove your PC’s Reddit history:
- Open your Reddit account and log in.
- Choose User Settings from the dropdown menu by clicking on your profile picture.
- Select the Profile tab now.
- Locate and click the Clear History button after swiping down to reveal the option.
Tips for Social Media Security as a Whole
Although Reddit is a beneficial website, it wastes time and privacy issues. Such is the case with most social media sites today. That’s where the use of security tools such as antivirus and VPN comes in.
A VPN may save your private data by privacy settings changes like turning off personalized search indexing.
Additionally, be careful while visiting websites. Some sites transfer user information to third parties. Always read the privacy rules of social media before joining. If you stop using your account, then completely delete your social media account.
The Wrap
Be careful while disclosing your personal information on any social media. If you disclose your personal information, like age, who you are, where you live, and your events, you may risk your identity theft.
Always read the privacy policy of any social networking site before joining and providing your complete information. Moreover, you can get the subscription premium of famous VPNs like ExtremeVPN. The VPN changes your privacy settings and limits the posts you share with your loved ones.
FAQs
How quickly Can I delete my Reddit account?
After confirming the deletion, Reddit immediately deletes the account. Your username will now read “[deleted],” but you can still view your posts and comments.
Does Reddit save personal information?
Reddit collects user data such as browser, operating system, and IP address. According to Reddit’s privacy policy, all this information is deleted every 100 days, except the IP address needed to create the account. Hide your IP address with robust encryption using a VPN like ExtremeVPN.
Is there a difference between a Reddit account deletion and deactivation?
Deactivation is effectively the same as deletion in the context of Reddit, and Reddit does not offer the option for temporary account deactivation.
Can I completely remove my Reddit account and posting history?
Yes, you can completely remove your Reddit account and your posted content. Deactivating your account and manually deleting your posts and comments are the steps involved in this process.
Are there any parental restrictions on Reddit?
You can establish Reddit parental controls to safeguard your children from inappropriate content, online threats, and cyberbullying. You can also impose screen time limits to ensure your children only spend a little time online daily.
Can you reactivate your account later?
You can log in again and reactivate your account anytime if you’ve deactivated it. However, that deletion is permanent, and you cannot retrieve your data or history.