Digital Legacy: What Happens to Our Data After Death?

In today's world, our digital life is an essential part of our existence. We are constantly connected to the internet, use social media, store our photos and documents online, and manage our finances digitally. But what happens to all this data when we're no longer here? In this blog post, we want to shed light on the topic of "Digital Legacy" and give you an overview of how you can meaningfully manage your digital estate.

What is a digital legacy?

A digital legacy refers to all information, files, and accounts that a person owns or leaves behind on the internet. This includes email accounts, social media profiles, online banking, photo and video storage, online accounts with various services, and much more. Together, these data and information represent a person's digital footprint and can have significant value, both financially and emotionally.

Why is digital legacy important?

Digital legacy is important for several reasons. First, personal data that remains on the internet can be misused, for example for identity theft or fraud. Second, relatives often have the desire to preserve or delete the digital memories and information of the deceased person. Additionally, financial accounts or online subscriptions can lead to financial losses if they are not properly canceled.

What happens to digital legacy after death?

In many cases, the digital data of a deceased person simply remains untouched as there are no clear regulations. In some cases, internet service providers or platforms offer ways to manage or delete access to a deceased person's data. For example, Google offers the "Google Inactive Account Manager," where users can specify in advance what should happen to their data if they are inactive for a certain period. Facebook offers the option to memorialize or delete a profile, and with Apple, you can add a legacy contact to your Apple ID. However, such features are not available with all providers.

How can you manage your digital legacy?

To meaningfully manage your digital legacy, you should first take inventory of your online accounts and services. Note down login credentials and passwords and keep them in a secure place, such as in a password manager like Bitwarden. Research the legacy management options available with individual providers and take appropriate precautionary measures.

Consider creating a digital power of attorney, naming a trusted person who will have access to your digital data in the event of your death or serious illness and can act according to your wishes.

Conclusion

Digital legacy is an increasingly important topic in our connected world. It's important to think early about what should happen to our digital data and information after our death. By meaningfully managing our digital legacy, we can help relieve our relatives and ensure that our personal information and memories are handled according to our wishes.

Some tips for managing your digital legacy:

1. Communicate your wishes: Talk to your relatives and trusted persons about your ideas regarding your digital legacy. Let them know which accounts should be deleted or preserved and how you want your digital memories to be handled.
2. Document everything: Create a list of your digital accounts, passwords, and important documents stored online. Update this list regularly and ensure it's easily accessible when needed.
3. Use specialized services: There are several online services that specialize in managing digital legacies. They can help you systematically manage your digital assets and enable your relatives to access them when necessary.
4. Consider legal aspects: It's advisable to learn about the legal aspects of digital legacy in your country. Some countries have specific laws governing the handling of digital data after death.
5. Adapt your last will: To ensure your digital legacy is managed according to your wishes, you should include this in your will. A notary or lawyer can help you make the appropriate arrangements.

Overall, it's important to be aware of the significance of digital legacy and take appropriate precautionary measures. By planning and organizing your digital legacy, you can ensure that your digital information and memories are treated as you wish after your death, and spare your relatives unnecessary stress and problems.