Meta-owned social media app Instagram is now rolling out a new option for users to delete or deactivate their Instagram accounts on iOS to comply with Apple's updated App Store Review Guidelines, TechCrunch reports. The guidance now states that all apps that offer account creatio

According to TechCrunch, Meta-owned social media app Instagram is now rolling out a new option for users to choose to delete or deactivate their Instagram accounts on iOS , in line with Apple’s updated App Store Review guide". The guidance now states that all apps that offer account creation must also include in-app account deletion.

Until now, users had to log into Instagram through a web browser on desktop or mobile to delete your account. The company said it is now introducing this option in its iOS app. Earlier, users could deactivate their accounts through the app, but this did not delete their data from Instagram's servers. The app itself doesn't provide any information about a complete deletion option, so many users may have simply deactivated their accounts rather than deleting them completely.

“We want to give people more ways to control their experience and time on Instagram. We’ve rolled out the option to delete an account in the settings on iOS, and you still have the option to temporarily deactivate your account before choosing to delete it. account," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.

If a user deletes their account on the app, they still have 30 days to prevent Instagram from deleting their account. This is in line with Apple's guidelines, as the company says it's acceptable if account deletion takes time after initiation. However, it also does the same thing as deactivation, i.e. it gives users a cooling-off period during which they can reconsider whether to leave the app entirely. If they launch the app again during this time, their account will no longer be queued for deletion.

In May of this year, Apple notified developers that it would implement a policy that would force the inclusion of account deletion methods in applications starting from June 30. The Cupertino-based company said apps that don't follow these rules may face review delays when submitting updates.

"If your app supports account creation, you must also provide account deletion functionality within your app." The company said in its guidelines: "Apps must not require users to enter personal information to enable functionality, except in conjunction with the app's Directly related to core functionality or required by law."

The company has mentioned that simply offering to deactivate accounts is not enough. It states that apps should offer to "delete the entire account record, along with associated personal data. You may include additional options, but simply offering to temporarily deactivate or disable an account is not sufficient."

As the screenshot above shows, Instagram still emphasizes the deactivation option as the primary option, using a large blue button that encourages users to click through. Also, the delete option below is not highlighted.

Other apps are now compliant with Apple's new policy. Meta-owned WhatsApp and Signal offer account deletion functionality within their apps, but Spotify - a frequent critic of Apple and antitrust firebrand - only provides a link to an account deletion page. Telegram also does not provide an option to delete the account.