Legal News | 23.01.25
Tik Tok – Time to consider your digital accounts
The recent temporary ban and the potential permanent ban of the social media app, TikTok, in the United States shows how easy it is to lose access to your digital accounts. Although there are no foreseen bans of social media apps in the UK, this recent development can act as an important reminder that you may wish to consider thinking about what should happen to your digital accounts after your death, to make sure that your loved ones do not lose access.
There are various ways that you can deal with your digital accounts and assets to ensure that access is not lost:
- You may consider creating a paper-based schedule which can record the extent of your digitals assets (e.g. set out your social media accounts) and provide confirmation to your executors as to what should happen to these when you pass away. This schedule is not legally binding; however, it provides a useful summary of the nature of your wishes. We suggest that this is reviewed regularly, kept up to date and a copy stored alongside your Will.
- Check whether your online social media and internet providers offer services which allow you to suggest what should happen to your accounts on death. Google, Apple and Facebook for instance, allow their users to have some control over what should happen to their accounts after their death. It is likely that other providers will begin to provide these options as this area of law continues to develop.
- Consider whether important or sentimental information should be downloaded or printed to ensure that access to it is retained.
If you would like further information or advice about your digital assets, please do get in touch with the Wansbroughs’ Private Client Team at wealth@wansbroughs.com.
