Deleting a Hunch account removes your profile, saved preferences, and all associated data from their servers

Hunch was a recommendation engine that shut down in 2015. If you created an account there years ago and want to remove it, the site no longer exists to process deletion requests through normal channels. Your best option is to contact the company that acquired Hunch — eBay bought the service in 2011 — or verify whether your account data still exists anywhere.

Because Hunch is no longer operating as a standalone service, the steps differ from deleting an active account. This guide walks you through what you can actually do and what to expect.

Key Takeaways

  • Hunch shut down in 2015, so you cannot log in or delete your account through the site itself.
  • eBay acquired Hunch in 2011, but the service was eventually discontinued and folded into other eBay properties.
  • If you have an old Hunch account, your data may have been deleted automatically when the service closed, or it may still exist in archived form.
  • Contacting eBay's privacy team is the only way to request removal of any remaining Hunch account information.

Check whether your Hunch account still matters

Before you spend time on deletion, determine whether your account data is still stored anywhere. Go to hunch.com in your web browser. If you see a blank page, a redirect to another site, or a message saying the service is no longer available, Hunch is offline and your account is not actively being used.

Try logging in with your old email address and password. If the login page does not load or rejects your credentials with an error message, the account system is not running. This is the most common scenario — most users will find that Hunch simply no longer accepts logins.

If you cannot remember your password, do not try to reset it. The password reset system likely does not work either. Move directly to contacting eBay instead.

Contact eBay's privacy team to request data removal

Since eBay owns the Hunch intellectual property and any remaining data, you need to submit a privacy request through eBay's official channels. Go to eBay.com and scroll to the bottom of the page. Look for a link labeled "Privacy" or "Your Privacy Choices" — the exact wording changes, but it is always at the footer.

Click that link. You will see eBay's privacy policy and options for managing your data. Look for a section called "Your Privacy Rights" or "Data Subject Rights" or a button that says "Do Not Sell My Personal Information." Click on whichever option appears — different regions see slightly different wording.

Select the option to request deletion or removal of your personal data. eBay will ask you to verify your identity. You may need to provide the email address associated with your old Hunch account, your full name, and possibly a phone number. eBay uses this information to confirm you are the account owner before processing the request.

What happens after you submit a deletion request

eBay's privacy team will review your request. They typically respond within 30 to 45 days, though the exact timeline varies by region. You will receive an email at the address you provided confirming that your request was received.

eBay may ask follow-up questions if they cannot locate your Hunch account in their system. This is actually good news — it means your data may have already been deleted when Hunch shut down. If they cannot find the account, they will tell you that no further action is needed.

If eBay does locate your account, they will delete the associated data and send you a confirmation email. Keep this email for your records in case you ever need proof that the deletion was completed.

If you cannot reach eBay through their website

Some users have trouble finding the privacy request option on eBay.com, especially if they are using an older browser or a mobile device. If the footer links do not appear or the privacy page will not load, try a different approach.

Open a new browser window and go directly to eBay's Data Subject Rights page. Search your browser for "eBay data subject rights" or "eBay delete my account." This should take you to a dedicated form where you can submit a deletion request without navigating the main site.

If that page does not load either, contact eBay customer service through their Help & Contact page. Explain that you have an old Hunch account and want to request data deletion. eBay's support team can direct you to the correct privacy department or submit the request on your behalf.

Why Hunch shut down and what happened to user data

Hunch was a popular recommendation service in the early 2010s. Users answered questions about their preferences, and the site would suggest products, movies, music, and other items they might like. eBay bought the company in 2011 to improve its own recommendation engine.

By 2015, eBay decided to discontinue Hunch as a standalone service. The company migrated some of Hunch's technology into eBay's own systems and shut down the Hunch website. User accounts were either deleted or archived, depending on eBay's data retention policies at the time.

This means your old Hunch data may no longer exist anywhere. eBay may have purged it years ago. Submitting a deletion request now is still worthwhile — it ensures that if any data does remain, it will be removed — but you may find that nothing is left to delete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log back into Hunch to delete my account myself?

No. Hunch shut down in 2015 and no longer accepts logins. The site does not have an active account deletion feature. You must go through eBay's privacy request process instead.

Will deleting my Hunch account affect my eBay account?

Not if they are separate accounts. If you used the same email address for both Hunch and eBay, make sure you specify in your deletion request that you want only the Hunch data removed. eBay can handle this, but it is worth being explicit.

How long does it take eBay to delete my Hunch data?

eBay typically responds to deletion requests within 30 to 45 days. The actual deletion may happen immediately after they confirm your identity, or it may take a few additional days. You will receive an email confirmation once the process is complete.

What if eBay says they cannot find my Hunch account?

That usually means your data was already deleted when Hunch shut down. eBay will send you a letter or email stating that no account was found. This is a normal outcome and means there is nothing left to remove.

Do I need to provide proof that I owned the Hunch account?

eBay will ask you to verify your identity using the email address, name, or phone number associated with your old account. You do not need to provide documents, but you do need to remember at least one piece of information from when you signed up.