To comply with Apple’s App Store guidelines, popular social media platform Instagram has now added account deletion support to iOS devices. The iPhone maker's store policy notably instructs that all apps that allow users to create accounts must include support to remove those accounts as well.

Until now, users had to log into the platform through a web browser on PC or mobile to deactivate their accounts, although the data from the servers would still not be deleted. Additionally, the app also did not offer any information for a full delete option, thus leading to many users deactivating their accounts instead.

When asked about Instagram adding an account delete option on iOS devices, a Meta spokesperson claimed that the social media giant intends to give people more control over their in-app experience. While the option to temporarily disable the account is still available, the delete account option can now be found in ‘Settings’ on iOS devices.

If a user decides to delete their account, he or she will have 30 days to change their mind before Instagram completely removes it, which again is according to Apple’s guidelines. Experts believe this timeframe makes sense given it offers users plenty of time to change their minds between permanently deleting it or just deactivating their account.

Apple’s new conditions have become mandatory for all apps since June 30th. The tech giant had also informed all developers back in May that apps that fail to comply with such regulations are likely to face review delays when updates are submitted.

The guidelines also state that an app should not require the user to enter personal information to operate unless it directly impacts the core functionality of the app. The iPhone maker has made it clear that the deactivation of accounts is not enough and that platforms should also add support for deleting the entire account as well as any personal data along with it.

Source Credits –

https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/in-compliance-with-apples-guidelines-instagram-adds-account-deletion-option-to-ios-340192-2022-07-04