How to handle user deactivation in Bubble.io: Step-by-Step Guide

Handling User Deactivation in Bubble.io

Managing user accounts, including handling user deactivation, is crucial for maintaining security and order within an application built on Bubble.io. This guide provides a detailed, step-by-step process to implement user deactivation in your Bubble.io application.

Prerequisites

• An established Bubble.io account with an active project.
• Familiarity with Bubble.io's data structures, workflows, and elements.
• Understanding of privacy rules in Bubble.io to handle user data access.
• Basic knowledge of Bubble.io's database system where user information is stored.

Understanding User Deactivation

• User deactivation is the process of temporarily suspending a user's access to the platform while keeping their data intact.
• This contrasts with user deletion, which typically involves permanently removing user data.
• Deactivation can be useful for managing inactive accounts or addressing policy violations.

Database Setup for User Deactivation

• Navigate to the Data tab in your Bubble.io app editor.
• Ensure your User data type has a field called 'isActive'.
  • Field Name: isActive
  • Field Type: Yes/No (Boolean)
  • Default Value: Yes (assuming users are active by default)

Creating a Deactivation Workflow

• Go to the Workflow tab in your Bubble.io application.
• Set up a workflow that triggers deactivation, which can be invoked from the admin panel or triggered automatically based on conditions.
• Example steps in the workflow:
  • Action: "Make changes to a thing."
    • Thing to change: Current User (or specify a user from an admin panel)
    • Field: isActive = No
• Optionally, you can send a notification to the user about their deactivation using the "Send email" action.

Implementing Login Checks

• Adjust the login workflow to check if the user's isActive field is true.
• Example login step in workflow:
  • Conditional: Only when Current User's isActive is "Yes".
    • If true: Proceed with login.
    • If false: Show an alert or redirect to a deactivation notification page.

Updating Privacy Rules for Deactivated Users

• Navigate to Data > Privacy in your Bubble.io app editor.
• Modify your privacy rules to restrict access for deactivated users effectively.
  • For instance, set a rule on the User data type: When isActive is "No", certain fields are not visible.
  • This ensures that even if they attempt to access pages directly, the system prevents data exposure.

Reactivating Users

• Implement a reactivation process that reverses the deactivation.
• This can involve setting the isActive field back to "Yes" through an admin interface or automated system condition.
• Ensure there is a confirmation mechanism to inform users about their reactivation status.

Testing User Deactivation

• Conduct tests by deactivating and attempting to log in with various user accounts.
• Check that deactivated users receive appropriate notifications or alerts.
• Verify that privacy rules effectively limit data exposure for deactivated users.
• Test the reactivation process to ensure seamless user experience upon reactivation.

Deploying User Deactivation

• Once you've verified and tested the deactivation feature, push the changes to your live site.
• Monitor user activity and adjust workflows as necessary to handle potential edge cases or anomalies.
• Ensure ongoing communication with users regarding account status, using automated emails or notifications.

By following these detailed steps, you can effectively manage user deactivation in Bubble.io, ensuring a secure and organized approach to suspending and restoring user access in your application. Implementing these measures strengthens your app’s integrity and provides users with clear feedback regarding their access status.