> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://orgo.space/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Deletion of Account

> Permanently remove a member account and personal data

Account deletion permanently removes a member's profile, activity history, and personal data. This is irreversible — once deleted, the account cannot be recovered. Only the legal minimum (name and payment records) is retained.

This feature exists primarily for **GDPR compliance** — the right to erasure (Article 17). Members should be able to request that their data be removed.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/orgo-dc7abe63/cmshtb5BOtVAsAaF/images/platform/users/delete-account.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=cmshtb5BOtVAsAaF&q=85&s=57e2768d203d97bbcffb4aa1041cee34" alt="Account deletion page with confirmation" style={{ width: "100%", borderRadius: "8px", border: "1px solid var(--border-color)", marginBottom: "1rem" }} width="3840" height="2160" data-path="images/platform/users/delete-account.png" />

<Warning>
  Account deletion is **permanent and irreversible**. If you just need to block access, [change the member's status](/platform/users/statuses) to Inactive or Suspended instead — their data stays intact and the action can be undone.
</Warning>

***

## How to enable

Account deletion is available from the **Close account** page in member profiles. There is no separate toggle — if you want to prevent deletions, enable the [Resignation module](/platform/users/resignation), which adds an approval gate before deletion becomes available.

***

## What the member sees

**Path:** Profile → Settings & Privacy → Close account

***

## How deletion works (with and without resignation)

### If Resignation is enabled (recommended)

Members must resign and get approved **before** the delete option becomes available. This gives you two safeguards:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Member submits resignation">
    They provide a reason for leaving. This goes to admin review.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Admin approves resignation">
    The resignation is processed. The member's reason is recorded.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Member can now delete their account">
    The Delete account button becomes active. They click it and confirm.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Account permanently removed">
    Profile, activity, and personal data are erased. Only name and payment records remain for legal compliance.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### If Resignation is not enabled

Members can delete their account directly — one click and confirm. No admin approval, no reason captured, no opportunity to intervene.

<Tip>
  Enable [Resignation](/platform/users/resignation) even if you don't think you need it. It gives you visibility into why members leave before their data disappears. Without it, people vanish and you never know why.
</Tip>

***

## What data is kept vs removed

| Data                                                     | After deletion                            |
| -------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| **Profile information** (bio, photo, custom fields)      | Permanently removed                       |
| **Member directory listing**                             | Removed — they no longer appear in search |
| **Activity history** (posts, comments, event attendance) | Removed or anonymized                     |
| **Roles and permissions**                                | Removed                                   |
| **Group and event memberships**                          | Removed — their slot is freed             |
| **Name**                                                 | Retained for legal records                |
| **Payment/transaction records**                          | Retained for financial compliance         |

***

## Admin notifications

When a member deletes their account:

* Administrators receive a notification
* The deletion is logged for compliance records
* The member's slot in any groups, events, or waitlists is automatically freed

Admins **cannot** block or undo a deletion once confirmed. The only way to require approval is by enabling the Resignation module as a prerequisite.

***

## Common scenarios

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="A member deleted their account by mistake — can I restore it?">
    No. Deletion is permanent and irreversible. The member will need to register again from scratch. This is why the confirmation step exists — and why enabling Resignation as a prerequisite is recommended (it adds a cooling-off period).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A member wants to leave but keep their data">
    They should [resign](/platform/users/resignation) without toggling "Close my account", or ask an admin to set their status to Inactive. Both options preserve their data while formally recording the departure.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I need to delete a member's account on their behalf (GDPR request)">
    If a member contacts you requesting data deletion but can't do it themselves, an admin can access their profile and process the deletion. Document the request for your compliance records.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if a member has unpaid fees?">
    Their payment records are retained after deletion for financial compliance. Outstanding fees should be resolved through your normal billing process — account deletion doesn't cancel debts.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Should I use deletion or just set them to Inactive?">
    Use **Inactive** when the member might come back, or when you want to keep their history for reporting. Use **Deletion** when the member explicitly wants their data removed (GDPR), or when you're cleaning up abandoned accounts. When in doubt, use Inactive — it's reversible.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## GDPR compliance

Account deletion directly supports the **right to erasure** (GDPR Article 17):

| GDPR requirement                 | How Orgo handles it                                         |
| -------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Members can request data removal | Self-service Delete account button                          |
| Data minimization after deletion | Only legally required data retained (name, payment records) |
| Admins are informed              | Notification sent on deletion                               |
| Audit trail                      | Deletion event logged for compliance                        |

***

## Related

* [Resignation](/platform/users/resignation) — Formal departure process (recommended prerequisite)
* [User Statuses](/platform/users/statuses) — Reversible alternative: Inactive or Suspended
* [Privacy Settings](/platform/users/privacy-settings) — Control data visibility (less extreme than deletion)