Contracts, invoices, online accounts: our everyday lives increasingly take place in the digital world. But what happens when someone dies? How can heirs access important contract documents or cloud services. Tatjana Halm, lawyer at the Bavarian Consumer Center, answers questions on the subject of digital inheritance.
Digital legacy: An interview
Ms. Halm, what happens to the digital data when someone dies?
Basically, the data from online accounts are treated like inherited items. For surviving relatives, this means that they assume all of the deceased's rights and obligations. This means you can access all data, but you also have to worry about canceling ongoing subscriptions. That's why it's so important that your own digital legacy is clarified in advance.
Can survivors easily access the data?
After death, the data, i.e. contracts, communication in emails and messaging services or photos of the deceased, remain in the cloud with the respective provider. Heirs have the right to demand the release of the data or the deletion of the account by presenting the certificate of inheritance. To do this, the surviving relatives must first know where the deceased had accounts.
What is the best way to manage your digital estate?
To make it easier for heirs to deal with your digital estate, you should create an overview of all accounts - including user names and passwords. This can be a handwritten or typed document. The consumer advice centers offer a template . A password manager can be used as a digital solution.
If consumers use a USB stick, they should make sure that it is not encrypted. Otherwise heirs cannot access it. I would definitely recommend keeping the list of all accounts, the USB stick or individual important access data in a safe or bank safe deposit box. In addition, it is advisable to appoint a trusted person as the digital estate administrator using a power of attorney. This then has to take care of the digital heritage. Many digital service providers such as Google or Facebook already offer the option of naming an administrator in their settings.
Should you commission commercial providers to manage your digital estate?
There are some providers that provide such services. However, it is difficult to assess the security and seriousness of these service providers. Consumers must be aware that a lot of personal data can be leaked to unauthorized parties or abroad in this way. Anyone interested in this service should obtain a detailed overview of the services and costs in advance.
Under no circumstances should consumers give their passwords to companies. It is also better not to hand over electronic devices such as computers, tablets or smartphones to commercial providers in order to have the digital estate examined. It is therefore advisable to appoint someone from your private environment.
Source:
Bavarian consumer advice center
Already read? Lots of current information about fakes on Facebook on Mimikama : SMS with “You are also affected by the Facebook data scandal”
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )