@53c578bc perhaps an option to download an archive of the account and a way to restore it to a new account later? Don't know how feasible that is though, would certainly mess with timelines and replies. 

 @53c578bc i've seen other services do stuff like "to confirm, write the text PERMANENTLY DELETE in the textbox below" before making the button clickable. 

 @53c578bc Could a queue system work? Disable the account, put it in a queue for X days, then process the full removal? 

 @53c578bc maybe have people type in the name of their account one last time, instead of just requiring a button click? i think that would require a little bit more attention in case they just skip the warning text. 

 @53c578bc I saw in a few applications that is required to type a particular word or phrase to perform that kind of actions.
Something like keeping the "Delete account" action disabled until the user, after being prompted, manually enters the phrase "Irreversibly delete my account and content forever". Or a neardy alternative "Throw all my photos and videos into the depths of Mount Doom" 

 @53c578bc when a user deletes their account, don’t actually delete it for 30 days. During those 30 days, the account is deactivated — appearing as deleted for all intents and purposes.

If the user logs in during that 30 day window, reactivate the account.

Continue to offer the option to delete immediately but make it difficult to find. 

 @53c578bc account deletion is permanent, but what about usernames? I assume I lose all the photos, but why the username can't be restored or liberated again? 

 @53c578bc Having non-native speakers in mind, rephrasing with "easier" could help, e.g.: "I understand that my Pixelfed account, its photos and messages will be deleted forever, and that nobody can bring them back." 

 @53c578bc I think people are just used to the idea that telling a company "Delete My Data" is more a gentle suggestion than a request. 

Everyone kinda knows that "Delete" just means, "I know you're going to keep my data and use it for whatever, but you're going to hide it from me and prevent me from logging into this account." 

 @53c578bc I mean, is there a polite way of asking those people what part of "permanent deletion" and "not reversible" they don't understand? 

 @53c578bc more Red 

 @53c578bc Another thought - if this turns out to be one of these "force of nature" situations where there's nothing to be gained from fighting it - how long do they go before doing this process and coming back to restore it? Maybe you could do a time bomb thing.

And maybe from there, see about making a "actually, delete this now!" button. So most people would just click "okay" instead. They'd have to go out of their way to "do it now". Maybe that won't work, but maybe worth a try? 

 @53c578bc With a grace period?

"Your account will be deleted in 30 days, unless you reactivate it in the meantime" 

 @53c578bc this is an interesting social rather than technological problem.

People got so used to services that retain your information, even when you asked them to delete it, that they get confused when they use a service that actually does what they asked. "Wait, what? I asked you to delete my data and you ACTUALLY deleted it? I'm confused now" 

 @53c578bc 1. Have a really big in your face message with "ALL YOUR DATA WILL HE DELETED. THIS CAN NOT HE UNDONE"
2. Have them type that phrase before you can confirm deletion.
3. Have an option to delay deletion my 30 days or whatever in case you change your mind.
4. Have an option right there to download everything first.