Why deleting your Facebook account could cause you problems

Following the internet-shaking news that Cambridge Analytica "harvested" the data of 50 million Facebook users, many users of the social network are now considering deleting their accounts.

Upping sticks from Mark Zuckerburg's digital kingdom isn't as simple as it sounds though, unfortunately, due to the social media giant's far-reaching influence on other websites.

Loss of access to other services

For many, our Facebook account acts as a passport of sorts for other popular services, such as Spotify, Netflix and Tinder.

Selecting "Log in with Facebook" when signing up to other services is an easy cop out from the arduous process of filling out a form. There's no need to remember a new password - simply click log in with Facebook every time you want to use a certain app.

However, if one wants to delete their account, this creates headaches.

Deleting Facebook can lock you out of other services (Photo: Shutterstock)

For example, if you deactivate your Facebook profile, and had previously logged in to Spotify premium via the social media giant, you will be unable to retrieve your account.

You will be required to make a new account, with a different email address.