Facebook is facing difficulties as it is accused of not completely deleting all user information at their request.

Usually, when you choose to delete your user’s account from any website or online service, your personal information is entirely wiped out from the database. This gives you the certitude that your email address and other personal information you might have submitted to the website will not be at the webmaster’s disposal longer than it should be.

According to recent news, Facebook allegedly doesn’t quite erase user account when they choose to, but rather deactivates them, keeping all personal data intact. By doing so, Facebook says it offers a back-up option in case users decide to reactivate their account. In order to completely wipe out all personal data, users must manually remove all photos and messages from their account before they delete it.

Facebook is now facing a probe by the Information Commissioner’s Office regarding this issue, as its policy policy could breach the Data Protection Act, which stipulates companies should not retain data for longer than is necessary.

“Many people are posting content on social networking sites without thinking about the electronic footprint they leave behind,” a spokesman for the Information Commissioner’s Office tells Channel 4, according to PC Pro. “It is important that individuals consider this when putting information online. However, it is equally important that websites also take some responsibility.

No matter what the outcome of this issue will be, it brings up an important question for all Internet users out there: Is there a way to control the information an online service collects from it’s users as long as even an account is deleted, users don’t actually know that their personal information is gone?