Imagine this: You spend years building your online presence, posting on social media, storing photos in the cloud, managing your bank accounts, and even investing in cryptocurrency. Then one day, you’re gone. What happens to all that digital content? Can your loved ones access your accounts, or are they lost forever?
Many people don’t think about what happens to their online accounts after they die. In the past, a will and a few documents were enough to pass down possessions, but now, digital assets create an entirely new challenge. Laws around digital inheritance are still unclear, and companies have different policies on what happens to an account when the owner dies.
Who Owns Your Digital Assets?
Your digital life is made up of various types of assets, including:
- Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Email accounts (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo)
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox)
- Financial accounts (PayPal, Venmo, cryptocurrency wallets, online banking)
- Streaming services (Netflix, Spotify, Amazon Prime)
- Online businesses (Etsy, Shopify, personal blogs)
Unlike physical assets, digital assets are often licensed rather than owned. When you sign up for an online service, you usually agree to the company’s terms of service, which outline what happens to your account when you pass away. In many cases, the company, not you, technically owns the content and decides who can access it.
What Happens to Social Media Accounts?
Each social media platform has its own policies regarding accounts after death. Some allow family members to manage or memorialize the account, while others deactivate it permanently.
- Facebook offers two options when a user dies:
- Memorialized Accounts – A memorialized profile remains visible, but no one can log in. The word “Remembering” appears next to the name, and posts can still be shared on the profile. A legacy contact (chosen before death) can manage the page.
- Account Deletion – If requested by a family member, Facebook can permanently delete the account.
- Instagram also allows accounts to be memorialized or deleted after death. Family members must provide proof (such as a death certificate) to request changes.
- Twitter does not allow memorialized accounts. A verified family member can request the removal of an account, but they cannot access or manage it.
- LinkedIn allows family members or authorized representatives to close an account after death but does not offer a memorialization option.
- TikTok & Snapchat. Both TikTok and Snapchat do not have official memorialization policies. The only option for family members is to request the deletion of an account.
What About Email Accounts?
Email accounts store personal and financial information, important messages, and sometimes access to other online accounts. Gaining access to a deceased person’s email is difficult, as most email providers prioritize user privacy.
- Gmail (Google Accounts). Google allows users to set up an Inactive Account Manager, which lets them choose what happens to their account after inactivity for a set period. If this option was not set, family members can request data from the account by providing necessary legal documents.
- Microsoft Outlook & Yahoo Mail. Both Microsoft and Yahoo allow family members to request account closure but will not provide access to emails.
Who Can Access Cloud Storage?
Cloud storage services such as Google Drive, iCloud, and Dropbox hold thousands of personal files, photos, and important documents. However, access to these files after death is complicated.
- Google Drive – If the deceased set up Google’s Inactive Account Manager, the designated person may retrieve the data. Otherwise, family members must go through a formal request process.
- iCloud (Apple) – Apple requires a court order before granting access to a deceased user’s iCloud account.
- Dropbox – Similar to Apple, Dropbox requires legal documentation before granting any access.
Online Banking & Cryptocurrency
Financial accounts, including online banking, PayPal, Venmo, and cryptocurrency wallets, present unique challenges in digital inheritance.
Most banks have strict policies about accessing a deceased person’s account. Typically, a legal representative or next of kin must present documents such as a death certificate, proof of relationship to the deceased, and a will or court order. Services like PayPal and Venmo allow the transfer of remaining funds to a family member upon verification but do not grant direct access to the account.
Cryptocurrency: The Biggest Challenge
Unlike traditional banking, cryptocurrency is decentralized, meaning no bank or government controls it. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital currencies are stored in private wallets protected by passwords and recovery keys. If family members do not have access to the deceased’s wallet credentials, the funds could be lost forever.
Some steps to prevent this:
- Write down private keys and store them securely
- Use a trusted estate planning tool for cryptocurrency
- Inform a trusted person about where to find wallet access details
Streaming & Subscription Services
Streaming platforms like Netflix, Spotify, and Amazon Prime are usually tied to an individual user. Since these services operate on a subscription basis, they automatically cancel when the payment method expires. Family members can request cancellation earlier if needed.
For digital book or movie collections (such as Kindle or iTunes libraries), these are typically licensed, not owned, meaning they cannot be transferred after death.
How to Prepare for Your Digital Afterlife
Since digital assets do not follow traditional inheritance rules, planning ahead is important. Here are some steps to take:
- Make a Digital Will. Just like a traditional will, a digital will outlines what should happen to your online accounts and digital assets. Specify:
- Who should have access to your social media and email accounts
- How cryptocurrency and digital wallets should be handled
- Instructions for cloud storage and important digital files
- Use an Inactive Account Manager. Google, Facebook, and other platforms offer options to designate someone who can manage your account after death. Setting up these tools ensures your digital legacy is handled according to your wishes.
- Store Passwords Securely. Keep a secure record of important account passwords using a password manager or a safe deposit box. Share access details with a trusted family member or lawyer.
- Inform Loved Ones. Let family members or close friends know where they can find your digital instructions. Many people fail to prepare, leaving their loved ones struggling to recover accounts and valuable data.
Planning for your digital afterlife may seem unusual, but in today’s world, it’s just as important as traditional estate planning. By taking the right steps, you can ensure that your online accounts, photos, and assets are handled the way you want, even after you’re gone.
