Vantage | Who gets access to your digital presence after you die?

The question of what happens after death has intrigued humanity across cultures and religions for centuries. Scientists, poets and individuals from all walks of life have pondered the mysteries of the afterlife with no definitive answers emerging thus far. However, in the 21st century, a new dimension to the concept of life after death has emerged – the digital afterlife.

In the digital era, our lives are increasingly intertwined with the virtual realm. Humans lead a double life, existing both in the physical world with tangible possessions and in the expansive digital world with ever-growing online profiles. This digital existence encompasses email accounts, social media profiles, mobile payment apps, digital avatars, photos, music playlists and even sleep records. When individuals pass away, their physical possessions are relatively accessible to loved ones, but accessing digital assets becomes akin to untangling a complex web. The digital afterlife while providing continuity in one’s online presence, presents challenges for those left behind. Pragmatic and sentimental reasons Accessing someone’s online life after death is not merely about nostalgia. There are practical reasons as well. Families may need access to financial information, bills or streaming subscriptions. Moreover, protecting online information from being lost or misused becomes crucial. Beyond pragmatism, there are sentimental reasons to navigate the digital afterlife. Preserving and honouring one’s memory becomes a significant motivation especially when faced with automated prompts from social platforms that can be disconcerting. However, unlocking the digital afterlife is no simple task. Family members are confronted with the complexity of unravelling someone’s online life, adding stress to an already challenging period of planning and grieving. Identifying digital possessions, knowing which accounts exist and navigating privacy concerns are formidable obstacles. Passwords alone are insufficient due to the prevalence of two-factor authentication, which often involves biometrics like fingerprints. The privacy concern is exacerbated by the potential exposure of personal messages or content that the deceased may not have intended to share. Creating a digital legacy Recognising the nuanced nature of the issue, some platforms offer solutions for individuals to control their digital afterlife. Facebook allows users to nominate a legacy contact who can either shut down or memorialise the account. Apple and Google also provide options for legacy contacts but with different policies. Despite these attempts, tech platforms were not initially designed to consider death, resulting in a digital graveyard where the number of deceased users on platforms like Facebook is projected to surpass the living by 2070. Waiting for tech giants to address this issue might be akin to waiting for an afterlife that never arrives. As individuals, the responsibility to manage our digital afterlife falls on us. Just as we make decisions about our money and property, considering our digital estate ensures that our online belongings are handled responsibly. It may seem like a daunting task, but when considering the vastness of our digital footprint, particularly our search history, the importance of taking control becomes clear. In the age of the digital afterlife, individuals must confront the challenges posed by their online existence. Navigating the complexities of passwords, privacy concerns, and the lack of standardised procedures on different platforms requires proactive measures. Taking control of our digital afterlife is not just a responsibility but an essential aspect of our legacy in the digital age. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.