What happens to your Facebook account when you pass away? Chances are it would lay there dormant until the end of time. However, that no longer has to be the case after the social network recently launched a feature that will allow users to appoint an heir to their account.
Should a person activate the feature, Facebook will transform the account into a memorial page after their death, and transfer the account login information to the individual who was chosen as the heir.
Up until now, Facebook only offered a memorialized account that could only be looked upon by friends and family members, but could never be altered unless someone close to the deceased knew the login information.
Facebook’s new feature is a welcomed addition for those who want to be remembered for years to come via the social network. We’re not certain how many people will use it, but it will no doubt be used by many.
“If someone chooses, they may give their legacy contact permission to download an archive of the photos, posts and profile information they shared on Facebook. Other settings will remain the same as before the account was memorialized. The legacy contact will not be able to log in as the person who passed away or see that person’s private messages.”
The fact that the chosen heir won’t be able to read the deceased private messages along with tampering with particular settings should make it easier for Facebook users to give this feature a test run. Furthermore, heirs will have the option to download photos and other content, but it would all come down to whether or not the deceased wants this to happen.
For those who want to be more careful, they can simply request their accounts to be deleted by Facebook on reports of their death.
The feature is available right now for those who are interested in wanting to be memorialized.
Source: [Facebook]
