A University of Manitoba student is calling for better planning of digital estates to protect personal data after a person dies [1].
This issue matters because digital footprints—including passwords, private photos, and social media accounts—often remain accessible or poorly managed without a clear succession plan [2].
The research, presented as a final thesis this year, analyzes what happens to digital traces in the virtual world [1]. The study said that hundreds of photos shared on social media can remain online indefinitely after a user dies [1]. Without intentional planning, these assets may remain in a state of limbo or be subject to the terms of service of various platforms [2].
Beyond the loss of privacy, the study noted the rise of a specialized industry. A report from 2024 highlighted the emergence of a market centered on digital death [2]. This market includes services designed to manage the transition of online accounts and the curation of digital legacies.
The researcher said that individuals should treat their digital assets with the same seriousness as physical property. This includes documenting access codes and specifying which accounts should be deleted or memorialized [1].
Failure to plan can leave grieving families unable to access important memories or struggling to close accounts that continue to generate notifications [2]. The study said that the current lack of awareness regarding digital succession leaves many people vulnerable to privacy breaches after death [1].
“Hundreds of photos shared on social media can remain online indefinitely after a user dies.”
The shift toward a digital-first existence has outpaced legal and social frameworks for inheritance. As more of a person's legacy is stored in proprietary cloud systems, the 'digital afterlife' becomes a matter of corporate policy rather than personal will, necessitating a new category of estate planning that bridges the gap between traditional law and technology.
