From Cambridge Analytica to leaking user passwords and automatically tracking your location by default, Instagram poses a serious threat to your privacy. It also shares your in-app activity - such as likes, comments, your interaction with stories, etc. - with other users. And more recently, it’s been informing other users when you are active, and even the last time you were active. Plus, with new reports increasingly discussing the negative effects of social media on mental health, it’s no wonder a big group of people are ready to log off Instagram for good. If you want to share a little bit less online, you might also consider deleting or deactivating your social media accounts. If you’re ready, this article will show you how to permanently delete your Instagram account. Get Better Privacy Online
Deactivating vs Deleting: What You Need to Know
You can both deactivate and permanently delete your Instagram account, depending on your preference. Deactivating your account is temporary, but whilst it is deactivated, your account, along with your profile, followers, photos, like, and comments will be hidden from other users. To restore all of this information and start using Instagram normally again, simply log back into your account. Deleting your Instagram account cannot be undone - a deleted account cannot be restored. When you delete your Instagram account, all of your data, including photos, followers, likes, etc. will be deleted for good. In the future, if you choose to sign up to Instagram again, you won’t be able to use the same username again, nor will anyone else.
Deactivating an Instagram Account
You can’t deactivate Instagram through the app, it has to be done on a web browser on the Instagram website. If you want to take a break from Instagram, you can deactivate your account by taking these steps:
Downloading Your Instagram Data
Once you’ve deleted your Instagram account, all of your data is gone for good - it cannot be retrieved. Therefore, you may want to download your Instagram data before you delete your account, so you still have all the photos, videos, etc. that you have posted over time. To download a copy of your Instagram data:
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Delete Your Instagram Account
Like with deactivating, an Instagram account can only be deleted through a web browser. To permanently delete your Instagram account, follow these simple steps:
Other Ways to Keep Your Data Private
Many of us use a Cloud Storage Service to back up our important data and/or to store files. If you use one of these storage services, choose one that automatically encrypts your files. However, as the cloud provider holds the key to your encryption, they may be able to access your data and even share it with government authorities at their request. You can get around this problem by manually encrypting your files yourself before uploading them to the cloud. Therefore, you will be the only one holding the key to your data. Your cloud provider will have no access, as long as you don’t also upload the encryption keys to the cloud. There are a number of free encryption programs out there that are easy to use, even if you have no prior experience of manually encrypting your data. Choose encryption software that is compatible with your computer and mobile operating systems, and with your cloud storage provider. Your encryption program should also have end-to-end encryption, and should never store your password.
Conclusion and Further Reading
These days, it’s important to do whatever you can to stay safe on social media and avoid becoming the victim of cybercriminals. If you are interested in learning more ways in which you can protect your privacy online, check out our detailed guide. Or, if you also want to delete your profile on Facebook, take a look at our step-by-step instructions. The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
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