The value of a network to a user is in the number of people he can communicate with. The value of a network to Facebook is in the number of accounts it can claim; the more accounts, the more attractive is the network to advertisers.
If Facebook reports number of users to advertisers and investors, it would never want to be in a situation where they have to show a loss of users. So they make it obscure to delete your account.
Yes, I can understand why it would be in Facebook's best interest, but what about their users' self interest? They are the ones who made them who they are today.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metcalfs_Law
The value of a network to a user is in the number of people he can communicate with. The value of a network to Facebook is in the number of accounts it can claim; the more accounts, the more attractive is the network to advertisers.
If Facebook reports number of users to advertisers and investors, it would never want to be in a situation where they have to show a loss of users. So they make it obscure to delete your account.
/speculation