How to delete your Public account

About deleting your Public account

Public is a social-investing platform that combines traditional brokerage features with a community-driven feed. It allows users to trade stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies while following other investors, sharing portfolios, and discussing market trends. Because it functions as a financial institution regulated by FINRA and the SEC, Public handles sensitive user data, including Social Security numbers, tax documents, bank account details, and detailed investment history.

Users often choose to delete their Public accounts for several specific reasons:

• A desire to minimize digital footprints across social-finance apps.
• Concerns over the social nature of the app leading to unintended disclosure of investment activity.
• Shifts in personal financial strategy or moving to a platform with different trade execution models.
• Privacy concerns regarding how trading data might be used in broader market analysis.

What happens to your data

When you request the deletion of your Public account, the platform must balance data privacy with strict federal regulatory requirements. Because Public is a brokerage, they are legally required under AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC (Know Your Customer) laws to retain certain records for a minimum number of years, even after a request to close the account.

Specific data types Public maintains or processes include:

• Identity verification documents and tax forms (1099s).
• Trade execution logs and transaction history.
• Linked bank account metadata and deposit/withdrawal histories.
• Account settings and communication preferences.

While your profile becomes inactive and public-facing social features are disabled, the underlying financial records remain archived in accordance with legal retention mandates.

Privacy considerations

Public operates as both a financial service and a social network, which creates unique privacy vulnerabilities. Unlike traditional brokers, your investment activity might be visible to followers, and your social interactions are logged by the company for community features.

Key privacy tips for Public users:

• Audit your privacy settings regularly to limit who can view your portfolio holdings.
• Understand that your trade activity contributes to the 'community insights' or market trends data used by the platform.
• Before requesting account deletion, download all relevant tax documents and historical statements, as access to these will be revoked once the account is terminated.
• Request a copy of your personal data before deletion to see exactly what the platform has stored.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting my account immediately remove all my trades from Public's servers?

No, due to SEC and FINRA record-keeping requirements, Public must retain your financial transaction history for several years following account closure.

Will my personal data be shared with third-party advertisers after I delete my account?

Public has specific privacy policies regarding data sharing; however, once your account is closed, your information should no longer be used for active marketing or targeting efforts associated with your user ID.

Can I reactivate my account after I delete it?

Typically, account deletion is permanent. If you wish to invest with Public in the future, you would likely need to create a new account and undergo the identity verification process again.

Is there a fee to close my Public account?

Public generally does not charge a fee for closing an account, though you must ensure your cash balance is zero and all positions are liquidated or transferred before closing.

How can I ensure my tax documents are saved before I delete my account?

Download your 1099 tax forms and year-end statements directly from the account portal before initiating the closure request, as these files may become inaccessible afterward.

Does deleting the Public app delete my account?

No, deleting the mobile application only removes the software from your device. You must initiate the account closure process through the account settings or support channels to terminate your financial relationship with the firm.