RE: Wen Reset Accounts?

The discussion about that feature from Steem devs.

The code related to account reset function was commented out before I first got my hands on it. I've personally removed related object members, since they were only collecting space with no purpose. The reset_account_operation and set_reset_account_operation were never put to use and are now placeholders to be replaced by some new operations if the need arises.

Now all nodes on Hive will forever track those lost accounts in the database for little reason even if they contain zero value.

Once we make one of the already proposed optimizations (expected in distant future) that will not be a problem even with millions of such accounts.

Recovery process on Hive

It is the other way around. Rightful owner of stolen account needs to contact their recovery agent outside of chain and provide new public owner key. It is the recovery agent that sends request_account_recovery_operation with that data. Then the owner reacts to it by signing recover_account_operation with both old (valid before theft) and new owner private key. The whole process has to close within 30 days or the previous owner key will expire and the account becomes truly unrecoverable.