You can choose to either delete your entire account or only delete optional data.

Difference between account deletion and optional data deletion

• Account deletion removes your full World App account, including any private keys and will make your World App, World ID, and any WLD unusable. 
• Data deletion removes optional data from the World App backend, but allows you to continue using World App with less data.

• Option A - Deleting your account

  • Closing your World App and World ID is permanent and cannot be undone. Once deleted, you will lose access to your World App, World ID, and any associated WLD.
  • Before deleting your account, make sure you have a backup method configured. If you delete your account without first setting up a backup, it cannot be recovered later. We strongly recommend reviewing our login methods guide to ensure your backup is properly set up.
  • If you’re unable to access your account or experience issues while attempting to delete your World ID, please contact World App Support for help.

   

  Before deleting your account, make sure you complete the following steps:

  1. Back up any important information you might need later (e.g., username, app settings).
  2. Cash out or transfer any balances if they apply to you through future World App financial features.
  3. Review any pending activity in the app and ensure it’s completed or canceled.
  4. Turn off optional features like push notifications if you want to stop receiving messages immediately.

  Once you request deletion, the following happens:

  • World App Profile: Your username and phone number will be permanently deleted.
  • Orb Verification: Proof of ownership for your World ID will be deleted.
  • Device Data: NFC identifiers and device IDs tied to your World ID are removed.
    • NFC (Near Field Communication) is a wireless technology that allows your phone to read information from a compatible card, device, or document located in close proximity — for example, when you tap your phone on your passport during verification. Most modern smartphones have NFC built in, and it needs to be turned on in your phone’s settings.
  • Local Storage: All app data saved on your phone, iCloud, or Google Drive will be erased.
  • Analytics Data (Optional): If you opted into app analytics, your data will be cleared, and tracking will be disabled.
  • Push Notifications: All notification tokens and history will be deleted, and push notifications will be disabled.
  • AI Training Opt-in: If you contributed data to help train AI models, that information will be permanently deleted.

  Important information:

  • Risk-flagged users: If your account is risk-flagged, your backend data will not be deleted, but you can still delete your app and cloud-stored data.
  • Anonymized data: Fully anonymized data that cannot be tied back to you may still be retained.
  • Blockchain data: If you have published data on a public blockchain (e.g., by doing a blockchain transaction), it is not technically possible to delete this data, nor are we legally obligated to do so. This pertains to your public wallet key and the transaction history associated with that public key.
  • Legally required data: If we are legally required to retain certain data, e.g., for tax purposes, we will also retain such data. 
  • You can find further details in our Privacy Notice.
     

  How to delete your account:

  1. Open the World App

  2. Tap the World ID icon at the bottom of the screen.

  3. Go to Settings (⚙️ icon).

  4. Scroll down and:

     • On Android, tap Privacy.

     • On iOS, tap Privacy & Legal.

  5. Tap Delete account.

  6. Follow the prompts to confirm your deletion.
  7. Once confirmed, your account and World ID data will no longer be accessible.

  For more information regarding this, please check our Account Deletion article.

• Option B - Clear optional data

  If you do not want to delete your account, you can choose to only remove your optional data. Upon doing so, the following information will be removed:

  • Your username.
  • Your phone number. 
  • Push Notifications: All notification tokens and history will be deleted, and push notifications will be disabled.
  • AI Training Opt-in: If you contributed data to help train AI models, that information will be permanently deleted.

  Important information:

  • Risk-flagged users: If your account is risk-flagged, your backend data will not be deleted, but you can still delete your app and cloud-stored data.
  • Necessary World App data: All data required to keep World App functioning for you will still be retained.
  • You can find further details in our Privacy Notice. 

  How to clear your optional data:

  1. Open the World App

  2. Tap the World ID icon at the bottom of the screen.

  3. Go to Settings (⚙️ icon).

  4. Scroll down and:

     1. On Android, tap Privacy.

     2. On iOS, tap Privacy & Legal.

  5. Tap Clear optional data

  6. Select the type of data you want to remove.

  7. Follow the on-screen steps to confirm deletion.

  For more information, please check our article on Optional data.

Why do I still see some data after requesting optional data deletion?

When you request deletion of optional data in World App, the respective data collected is immediately deleted. This affects the following data: 

• Your username.
• Your phone number. 
• Push Notifications: All notification tokens and history will be deleted, and push notifications will be disabled.
• AI Training Opt-in: If you contributed data to help train AI models, that information will be permanently deleted.

Other data will continue to be stored until you request account deletion.

Translations may differ slightly from the original English content. For the most accurate information, please refer to the article's English version if any discrepancies occur.