Here’s something we don’t often talk about.
Digital inheritance matters. You’ve planned who gets the house or the car, but what about your photos, emails and online accounts? Your digital inheritance—everything from cloud storage to social media—doesn’t disappear when you do. In fact, if you don’t make a plan, families can be locked out of memories or, even worse, hackers can hijack abandoned accounts.
What Counts as Digital Inheritance?
• Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)
• Cloud storage full of photos and documents
• Emails, messages, and contact lists
• Online banking and shopping accounts
• Subscription services like Netflix or Spotify
• Even game accounts and loyalty points
Real Example
In 2016, a mother in Germany had to take Facebook to court just to access her deceased daughter’s account. Without proper access rights, the platform treated the account as private property — even from family. As a result, it took years to resolve.
Do This Today
- Make a digital will
Note down your key accounts and what you’d like done with them. - Use legacy contacts
Facebook Legacy Contact,
Google’s Inactive Account Manager, and
Apple’s Digital Legacy
all let you nominate trusted people who can manage your accounts. - Store passwords securely
Use a password manager and share access instructions with someone you trust. - Close unused accounts
The fewer accounts left floating around, the less for hackers to abuse.
Related: Why Hackers Love Old Social Media Accounts - Talk about it
It might feel awkward, but letting family know your wishes makes things far easier later.
Key Takeaway
Your digital inheritance doesn’t die with you. Without a plan, memories can get locked away and risks remain open. With a few simple steps, you can make sure your digital legacy is safe and in the right hands.
At The Cyber Workshop, we don’t just teach you how to protect your data today — we help you think about tomorrow too.
For more everyday guidance, see our post on Backups: The Boring Hero That Saves Your Bacon or why your email inbox is the master key to everything else.
Till next time,
Look after your digital life — even the part that outlives you.
