I agree. I've already just replied to another reply on this but dealt more with the ethics of the matter.
What I would actually implement is something akin to the recycle bin in an OS. Flag something as deleted, ensuring it's no longer published in whatever form on the website. Optionally, delete it properly after a set period of time, or otherwise allow the users to manually perform that action.
In addition to that, log the delete actions along with the IDs of the deleted items. So if after all that the user regrets it and files a complaint, you can trawl through your backups to restore it.
Irreversible actions in the UI are bad. Having no choice but to tell the customer tough luck is bad. Deceiving the user is also bad.
Of course I'll concede my ideals are more compatible with the concept of deleting an entire user account, for example, as opposed to removing individual items associated with. But I don't think everyone else's intents are as pure as yours.
What I would actually implement is something akin to the recycle bin in an OS. Flag something as deleted, ensuring it's no longer published in whatever form on the website. Optionally, delete it properly after a set period of time, or otherwise allow the users to manually perform that action.
In addition to that, log the delete actions along with the IDs of the deleted items. So if after all that the user regrets it and files a complaint, you can trawl through your backups to restore it.
Irreversible actions in the UI are bad. Having no choice but to tell the customer tough luck is bad. Deceiving the user is also bad.
Of course I'll concede my ideals are more compatible with the concept of deleting an entire user account, for example, as opposed to removing individual items associated with. But I don't think everyone else's intents are as pure as yours.