The topic of "digital estate" has become a significant issue for online service providers, not least due to media coverage. We have looked at the processes of the most important platforms and summarized them for you:
Facebook allows its users to select a so-called estate contact. When a user dies, the estate contact can request deletion of the account or have it memorialized. The latter option allows the estate contact to publish a final post in the Chronicle, for example, to write a final message on behalf of the deceased or information about the funeral service. The estate contact can also update the profile and cover photo. The account still exists so it can be managed by the estate contact, including incoming friend requests. In addition, Facebook users can allow their estate contact to download a copy of everything that has been shared on Facebook. As Facebook shares on its help page, more rights may be added to this estate feature.
Upon the death of an account holder, Twitter allows immediate family members or a person authorized on behalf of the estate to request deletion. To provide proof of identity and the right to request account deletion, family members must provide Twitter with information about the deceased person, a copy of the deceased person's ID, and a copy of the deceased person's death certificate. Access to the account itself will not be granted.
LinkedIn also offers to delete a deceased person's account if a person close to the deceased fills out a form with the following information:
Through the Account Inactivity Manager tool, Google allows its users to plan ahead and decide what to do with their accounts (Gmail, YouTube, etc.) after they die. Here's how it works:
For Outlook.com account holders, Microsoft applies what it calls a "next of kin" process. This allows you to specify your wishes for your Microsoft accounts after your death, including whether you want Microsoft to send your loved ones a DVD with the contents of the account.
In the event of the death of an Account Owner, a relative must request the release of the Account contents by sending an email to msrecord@microsoft.com with the following information:
Yahoo allows relatives of deceased account holders to close the account and stop billing for premium products. However, it is not possible to gain access to the account or initiate a transfer of account information. In order to process a request to cancel the account, Yahoo requests the following information:
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