Every major platform uses the same playbook when you try to cancel. Guilt. Fear. Doubt. Friction. Bribery. Desperation. They have entire teams dedicated to making you stay. They call it "retention". The rest of us call it what it is.
This exhibit simulates the experience. Every screen you're about to see uses a real tactic, deployed by real companies, on real people, every single day.
All you have to do is leave.
You've been a valued member since 2019. That's 7 years of memories, connections, and moments shared with the people who matter most to you.
Are you sure you want to throw all of that away?
This action cannot be undone.
Most people who cancel end up coming back within 30 days. We get it. Sometimes you just need a break.
Why not pause your account instead? You can take up to 90 days off and everything will be here when you get back. Your photos, your friends, your groups. All of it. Waiting for you.
Please select your reason for leaving. This helps us improve.
(Required field. You cannot proceed without selecting a reason.)
It doesn't matter what you select. This form exists to slow you down.
We don't want to lose you. Here's an exclusive offer, just for you:
£4.99/month for the next 3 months
This offer is only available right now. If you leave this page, it's gone forever.
We've never offered this to anyone before. Seriously.
That's a full year for less than the price of a sandwich. Please?
This is your last chance. Once you click that button, it's over. Gone. Finished. Kaput. No take-backs. We'll delete everything. Every photo. Every message. Every memory. Every late-night scroll. Every like that made you feel something. All of it. Into the void. Forever.
You'll be alone out there. Without us.
The internet is very big and very cold.
Your account will be deleted in 30 days. During which time we'll send you 14 emails asking if you've changed your mind. Your data will be retained for "legal purposes" for up to 5 years. Your advertising profile will remain active indefinitely. Your contacts will be notified that you've left.
Thank you for being a valued member.
We were never going to make it easy.
That took 0 clicks. Every one of them was designed to make you stop.
Every screen you just experienced uses a real tactic, deployed by real platforms, on real people, every single day. None of this was exaggerated. If anything, real cancellation flows are worse.
The industry calls these "retention flows". Designers call them "dark patterns". The EU calls them illegal. The platforms call them Tuesday.