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Deleting unused accounts
Is there a way to disable unused names? For example, in trying to register my name, I found two users who have registered my name in various forms, and are not using your service. Can these accounts be disabled or deleted so that I can use my name?
For example:
http://twitter.com/mattmurrell (One single update on 04/22, account obviously unused...)
http://twitter.com/mmurrell (0 updates ever, account obviously unused...)
How about a general software requirment to delete unused accounts after a period of X months of inactivity?
For example:
http://twitter.com/mattmurrell (One single update on 04/22, account obviously unused...)
http://twitter.com/mmurrell (0 updates ever, account obviously unused...)
How about a general software requirment to delete unused accounts after a period of X months of inactivity?
I’m irritated
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crystal (who works for Twitter) mentions a 9-month rule with respect to inactive user names:We generally have a 9 month rule; if a profile has been inactive for more than 9 months, we release the user name.
In cases where the account has never been updated, Twitter can write the owner of the user name about releasing it, but results vary.
So a user who tweets a couple of times a year should generally be safe.
It's worth noting that user who tweeted only Direct Messages (DMs) might actually be very active, though such activity would not be visible "from the outside". There are so many different ways of using Twitter.
Deleted accounts are kept "in limbo" for 6 months (in case an ex-user has a change of heart and would like to restore the deleted account) - which would likewise block use of the old name for a period of time.
In my experience, quite a few people join Twitter, try it for a few days and then lose interest (and even forget the password) - it's not deliberate squatting. However, Twitter would likely take a dim view of any individual who set up dozens of Twitter accounts in the names of (e.g.) famous scientists and then tried to sell the usernames to those scientists - behaviour which would presumably violate Twitter's Terms of Service.
Here on Get Satisfaction, people who work for Twitter (please click) have icons displayed within a green frame bearing the word EMPLOYEE.
3 people say
this answers the question
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Inappropriate?they have not registered 'your' name but their name. and just because they are not using them does not mean that they should be taken away from them.
it is common practise to ergister a name but not necessary use them - i for example never plurked once but I keep them to connect - if neccesary - with the friends there. -
Inappropriate?Thanks for the quick reply, but I would like to disagree. First, while I agree that it IS a common practice to register a name but not necessarily use them. My disagreement is that In other circles this is called squatting (domain squatting anyone?) and this practice is generally frowned upon by all except for those who extort the system to make money.
I do not believe this is the case here. I believe that someone enrolled in the service, decided not to use it, and abandoned the account. I am not advocating blindly 'taking away' users accounts. I am suggesting a controlled clean-up system to remove unused accounts and keep the "signal to noise" ratio very high. Being a software developer myself, I find it hard to believe that an account archival and expiration procedure is not implemented. -
Inappropriate?squatting is registering names for the purpose of squatting them - which you also implied by stating that somebody took away your name.
you could accuse me of the same - as an early adopter i am more likely to get my name in all services first when I use them - every other nicole simon has a hard time to get that name. I already advised some of them to start using an additional initial as they are likely to loose out every single time. ;)
As for automatic expiration - hate them like hell. We agree that there can be some implementation on this, but usually this is used by programmers to force you back on the site and done in intervalls unusable for users.
How long do you think this should be - once you set aside that you would like to have this account?
And if that would be implemented, there would be services popping up right away to send a 'keep me alive' tweet evey other week or so.
tip: there is a difference between asking
"This idiot has my name! I want my name back! Why dont you do something about it????!!!"
and
"How is twitters suggested path for doing so".
Looking at your following list, you already discovered the other posting and I suggest you add your name to the list through support as well. ;) -
Inappropriate?I'm afraid we might just have to disagree. I did not intend to, or try to infer that you or any of the users were squatting. In fact, in my reply I stated I did not think that this was the case with this specific user.
I'm sorry that you 'hate like hell' automatic expiration. My comment was simply that I believe a well thought out archival plan would be a good idea. It was just a recommendation, and Twitter (Do you work for twitter?) can choose or not choose to implement it.
In regards to your tip, I fully understand the difference between your two stated questions. However, I did not call anyone an idiot. I did not state that I wanted "my name back." I simply provided a concise description of my question, with an example and asked politely (and with appropriate punctuation) if there was anything that could be done.
You are correct that since posting this, I found another posting on getsatisfaction and took the steps listed there. Unfortunately in my initial passes through the support pages I did not find such a listing. In retrospect I wish I had found such a listing earlier.
Thanks for your time. -
Inappropriate?crystal (who works for Twitter) mentions a 9-month rule with respect to inactive user names:We generally have a 9 month rule; if a profile has been inactive for more than 9 months, we release the user name.
In cases where the account has never been updated, Twitter can write the owner of the user name about releasing it, but results vary.
So a user who tweets a couple of times a year should generally be safe.
It's worth noting that user who tweeted only Direct Messages (DMs) might actually be very active, though such activity would not be visible "from the outside". There are so many different ways of using Twitter.
Deleted accounts are kept "in limbo" for 6 months (in case an ex-user has a change of heart and would like to restore the deleted account) - which would likewise block use of the old name for a period of time.
In my experience, quite a few people join Twitter, try it for a few days and then lose interest (and even forget the password) - it's not deliberate squatting. However, Twitter would likely take a dim view of any individual who set up dozens of Twitter accounts in the names of (e.g.) famous scientists and then tried to sell the usernames to those scientists - behaviour which would presumably violate Twitter's Terms of Service.
Here on Get Satisfaction, people who work for Twitter (please click) have icons displayed within a green frame bearing the word EMPLOYEE.
3 people say
this answers the question
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Inappropriate?I emailed the username@twitter.com address and got the following reply:
Due to high ticket volume, Twitter Support is no longer releasing inactive user names unless in cases of trademark or copyright violation. We are working on releasing all inactive user names in the future, however, we will no longer manually release them on an individual basis.
In short: Give up all hopes.
I’m frustrated
1 person says
this answers the question
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Inappropriate?I would like to set up a new service via Twitter but all the best names are taken, it does not require a persons name or a registered brand name. Names taken is fine were it not for the fact almost all the names (relevant words) are taken by people who have not tweeted for at least six months and who follow only one or two people. Why not add a 60 day expiration time on Twitter accounts? If you don't use it, you lose it. As it is, this devalues Twitter rather than adds value, I mean who wants to be "person1r32323"?!
I look forward to the suggested automated account expiration.
I’m sad
