In this digital age, individuals typically maintain multiple accounts on various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. These platforms serve as a means for communication and sharing thoughts, images, and videos with others. However, like all living beings, the owners of these digital accounts will inevitably face the reality of mortality.
This leads to the question of how to manage or deactivate the digital accounts of deceased individuals or at least prevent unauthorized access. To address this issue, here are some essential tips and guidelines:
Recording Access Data for Digital Accounts
It is advisable for every internet user to document all the crucial access data for their digital accounts, whether on Facebook, Instagram, or any other platform. This information should be stored in a secure place or shared with a trusted individual.
By doing so, the close relatives of the deceased person can gain access to the relevant account. This access can be essential for either deactivating the account or retrieving important data.
Safeguarding Access Data in a Secure Location
General information, including usernames and passwords for all accounts, can be securely stored at home or documented in a notarized will. Additionally, access data can be stored in a secure memory unit or vault.
Rebecca Vais, from the German Association for Communications and Information Technology, explains that, “This means that heirs can access the data stored on these devices without restrictions.”
Vais advises users to make a prompt decision about whether to allow heirs access to their digital data after their passing.
Designating a Trusted Person to Manage Digital Accounts
A useful practice is for users to designate a trusted individual to manage their digital accounts after their passing unless otherwise specified in a will or power of attorney.
German lawyer Tatiana Hall advises that this designated person should be informed about how to handle digital accounts after the individual’s death. Options include immediate account deactivation, making the account accessible to others, or transferring the data to other parties.
Requesting Data Deletion through Power of Attorney or Inheritance Certificate
The rights of heirs extend beyond physical possessions and encompass contracts made by the user before their death. Rebecca Vais adds, “This applies to all paid services, such as streaming subscriptions.”
As a result, heirs possess the special right to terminate these contracts with internet and email service providers and cloud services. Tatiana Hall, the German lawyer, confirms that heirs can terminate contracts and request data deletion. However, this process requires proof that they have the authority to do so, which can be provided through a general power of attorney or a notarized inheritance certificate.
What If Heirs Cannot Access the Deceased Person’s Digital Accounts?
Rebecca Vais, the German expert, addressed this concern by stating that if heirs do not have access data, they will be unable to access these accounts. Nevertheless, it is possible to contact the service providers or website administrators and request that the personal page of the deceased be transformed into a “memorial status.”
In conclusion, dealing with the online presence of deceased individuals is an important and often overlooked aspect of digital life. Properly managing digital accounts after one’s passing can provide closure for loved ones and protect the digital legacy of the deceased. It is crucial for internet users to take these measures seriously, ensuring their wishes are respected in the digital realm.
