Practical guide
Before deleting an old account: what to save and check
Check subscriptions, purchases, shared files, and recovery settings before closing an account you no longer use.
3 min read
Behind the journal
Spectre editorial
Spectre publishes practical guides to finding old accounts, understanding privacy rights, and preparing erasure requests. Each article links to the sources used.
About these guides
The journal provides general information about privacy and account management. For advice about a particular dispute, consult a qualified adviser or your supervisory authority.
Sources are shown on each article. Company identity and contact details are available in our legal disclosure. Read our editorial policy.
From this author
Practical guide
GDPR data deletion request template: what to include
Use this GDPR erasure request template to explain what you want deleted, identify your account, and ask about any records the company retains.
3 min read
Practical guide
How to find old accounts linked to your email address
A practical way to uncover forgotten signups, build a private account inventory, and decide what is worth keeping.
4 min read
Practical guide
What to do when a company doesn’t answer your deletion request
Check delivery, understand the GDPR response window, send a focused follow-up, and organise the evidence for a possible complaint.
3 min read
Illustrative story
The travel account you forgot you had
An old booking email prompts Alex to check a forgotten travel account. A fictional example of what to save, what to close, and what to ask next.
2 min read
Explainer
Unsubscribe, delete your account, or request erasure?
Learn which action stops marketing, which closes a login, and when you can ask a company to erase personal data.
3 min read