Many major tech platforms now support setting up a legacy contact or similar features to help manage digital assets after a user's death. By taking advantage of legacy contact features where available and planning for other digital assets, you can ensure that your digital assets are managed according to your wishes, protecting both your privacy and valuable digital assets after your passing.
Here are some of the key platforms that offer this functionality:
Facebook was one of the first major platforms to introduce a legacy contact feature. It allows you to:
- Designate a trusted person to manage your memorialized account
- Give them the ability to write a pinned post, respond to friend requests, and update your profile picture
- Optionally allow them to download an archive of your shared content
Apple
Apple's legacy contact feature is comprehensive, covering iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices. It allows your designated contact to:
- Access your iCloud data, including photos, messages, notes, and files
- Download your data from privacy.apple.com
- Remove Activation Lock from your devices
- However, they cannot access your iCloud Keychain passwords or licensed media
While Google doesn't use the term "legacy contact," it offers a similar feature called Inactive Account Manager. This allows you to:
- Choose a timeline for when Google should consider your account inactive
- Designate trusted contacts to receive data from selected Google services
- Optionally have your account deleted after a specified period of inactivity4
Other Platforms
It's important to note that many other major platforms do not currently offer legacy contact features:
- Microsoft
- Yahoo
These platforms typically require family members to go through more complex processes, often involving legal documentation, to access or close accounts of deceased users
Best Practices
- Regularly review and update your legacy contact settings on platforms that offer this feature.
- For platforms without legacy contact options, consider including login information in a secure document accessible to your executor or trusted individual.
- Include provisions for digital assets in your will or trust documents.
- Use a password manager to securely store and share login information for your digital accounts.
Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada for trusts and estates and family law, she previously chaired the Canadian Bar Association Wills and Trusts Subsection (Vancouver).
Contact Nicole by email or phone at (778) 742-5005 x216.
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