Yo @privacysafe, I had an old account with the username @zer0dyn and now when I try to change my username to that, it says it's unavailable. is there a way, I could get my account back?

@Zer_dyn @privacysafe have you tried resetting the password to the old account?

We're not able by design of the platform to restore the old handle but we can delete the old account if we can verify it is you. that will not get you the prior handle back.

@helpinghen @privacysafe
I have already deleted my account so I don't think you could "delete" my account, that said if deleting my account, wouldn't get my older username then it's doesn't matter. I was just curious and would've liked my old username but I don't care that much and I have gotten comfortable with my current username.

That said, you could take my issue as feedback for the platform, I think the platform by design should erase the username when a person deletes an account.

@Zer_dyn @privacysafe Thank you for your understanding and your participation!

One of the reasons usernames are permanent is because of federation with other #Mastodon servers. Your username to them is @ username @ privacysafe.social

It is hypothetically possible to do what you suggest but it would require tweaks we don't do, for privacy + legal + logistics reasons, with the server.