Sometimes it depends on how the backend data is stored. I'm going to assume that HN uses linked data for your account name against posts and comments...
How do they deal with your delete account request? Do they just remove your account resulting in 'NULL' appearing against all your previous comments and posts? Do they remove all your previous posts and comments as well? This could result in broken comment threads - a workaround would be to replace your comments and posts with '[Deleted]' which could then make child comments lose their context.
If the whole thing was automated, what stops people abusing the system by creating, posting abuse, and then deleting the account? So many questions, and no easy/simple answers.
Deleting an active account on a busy site is rarely just a case of removing the user record from the users table.
How do they deal with your delete account request? Do they just remove your account resulting in 'NULL' appearing against all your previous comments and posts? Do they remove all your previous posts and comments as well? This could result in broken comment threads - a workaround would be to replace your comments and posts with '[Deleted]' which could then make child comments lose their context.
If the whole thing was automated, what stops people abusing the system by creating, posting abuse, and then deleting the account? So many questions, and no easy/simple answers.
Deleting an active account on a busy site is rarely just a case of removing the user record from the users table.