Closing Social Media and Online Accounts
We rely on technology to work, play, socialise, and communicate as well as store our important information and precious memories. When people die their accounts don’t simply disappear.
As executor or administrator, you will need to determine how social media and other online accounts will be managed and if they will be closed or remain open.
Each platform will have a unique process for closing or memorialising an account after a death.
Many accounts will allow the account owner to nominate a caretaker to manage their social media if they die, known as a digital legacy this can be set up during lifetime and changed if and when required.
If the deceased had a Morty – our online safe deposit box where digital information can be safely stored – reach out to us to start the process of gaining access.
As an executor, we encourage you to set up your own Morty to store any digital information you gather in the process of administering the estate.
If the deceased has nominated a legacy contact they can manage the Facebook profile as a ‘memorialised’ page or request to have the profile deleted permanently.
If no legacy contact has been added you can find out more about deleting an account through the online help centre.
Instagram accounts can be deleted or memorialised at the request of immediate family only. You will be required to submit verification documents when reporting a death.
You will not be provided access to the deceased’s account however you can request their account be deleted by following the steps outlined on the X website.
If the deceased has nominated a legacy contact they can manage the LinkedIn profile and request the account be memorialised or deleted.
LinkedIn will not disclose any usernames or passwords to anyone including family and will require documentation before having the authority to lock an account.
The Google Inactive Account Manager tool allows people to nominate who can access information and whether an account should be deleted if the user dies. If no legacy contact has been nominated Google will work with the immediate family or representatives to close the account.
The deceased may have had access to other social media or online accounts that need to be closed. Some suggestions for other online accounts include:
- You Tube
- TikTok
- Snap Chat
- Tinder (or other online dating apps)
- Only Fans
- Telegram
- Discord
More information can be found on the eSafety Commissioner website.
Disclaimer: All estate management information provided in this document is general in nature and may not apply to your specific circumstances. Please seek independent, specific legal advice from Your Estate Lawyer for your unique situation.