Most people plan wills for property and finances.
Yet we ignore the one asset that holds photos, memories, passwords, conversations, and identity: their social media accounts. When someone passes away, families are left struggling to access accounts, shut down impersonation risks, or preserve memories. Clear documentation is essential.
Why Digital Legacy Matters:
- Social media accounts contain years of personal photos, messages, and professional history.
- Criminals target inactive accounts and use them for impersonation, scams, and fraud.
- Families face legal and emotional difficulty retrieving access without documented permissions.
- Platforms treat all accounts as private property unless a clear legacy process is in place.
What You Must Document Clearly:
- Which family member should control each account.
- Whether the account should be memorialised, deleted, or managed.
- Passwords, recovery emails, and two-factor settings stored securely.
- Instructions for personal photos, videos, and documents stored online.
- Clear written consent for access after death to avoid disputes.
Platform Policies You Should Know:
- Facebook allows memorialisation or legacy contact assignment.
- Instagram can memorialise with proof but provides no access without prior instructions.
- Google accounts follow an inactive account manager system to transfer data.
- Platforms will not hand over access without documented consent, even to immediate family.
How Criminals Exploit Unattended Accounts:
- Cloning profiles to message contacts for money.
- Using old photos to create fake identities.
- Accessing linked apps to steal data or sensitive content.
- Running scams in the name of the deceased.
Steps to Protect Your Digital Legacy:
- Maintain a secure, updated digital will listing all accounts.
- Store passwords in an encrypted password manager accessible to a designated person.
- Assign legacy contacts on platforms that offer the feature.
- Leave written, signed instructions kept with other essential documents.
- Review annually and update as needed.
Why This Matters:
Your digital presence continues to exist even after you are gone. Without clear instructions, it becomes vulnerable to misuse and leaves your loved ones with emotional and legal strain. Documenting your digital legacy protects your identity and safeguards your family from fraud.
Social media accounts contain your identity, your history, and your relationships. When you are no longer here, these accounts become easy entry points for criminals who clone profiles, steal photos, and manipulate your contacts. Families are then forced into lengthy procedures with platforms that will not release access without prior documented consent. This creates emotional distress, legal hurdles, and significant risk of impersonation fraud. A clearly documented digital legacy removes every ambiguity, protects your identity from misuse, and ensures your family can act immediately and decisively.
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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’
The Akancha Srivastava Foundation is India’s leading social impact initiative dedicated to advancing cyber safety awareness and education. Established in February 2017, this not-for-profit Section 8 organization is a trusted voice in promoting safe online practices across the nation.
Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:
- Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
- ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
- ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
- Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)
Our Mission
The Foundation is committed to educating, empowering, and building bridges between the public and authorities on critical cyber safety issues. Additionally, we specialize in forensics training for law enforcement, equipping them with the skills needed to tackle cybercrime effectively.