TOKYO: When you die, what transpires to your online accounts? If you’re like most Americans, you probably haven’t considered the issue, much less prepared for it. But states have been diligent legislating the fate of virtual assets in recent years, pitting lawmakers and technology companies against one another in a war over whether your digital afterlife should be kept private.
Google If your relative never had the chance to use the Inactive Account Manager; you still might be able to get into their account if you go through Google’s verification process.
We say “Might,” because Mountain View can’t promise to grant your request; if you pass, you’ll get access to the account, including its emails, YouTube videos and Google Play profile.
We wouldn’t blame you if you’d rather not think about death at this point in time. But doing what you can while you can still decide for yourself makes it easier for anyone you leave behind. As you can see, it won’t be easy for relatives to request entry to your accounts or to ask for their deletion. By making sure your accounts are deleted instead of letting them languish away, you’re not only giving your family closure, you’re also preventing identity thieves from impersonating you long after you’re gone.
