After a death, digital accounts and personal data do not automatically pass to heirs. In France, people may leave instructions about their data, while each service has separate rules for closing accounts, providing files and granting access.

Relatives should first decide whether they want to preserve memories, retrieve documents, remove a profile or report the death. Asking for a password alone is not an effective digital inheritance plan.

How can you prepare your digital legacy while alive?

List the services, decide what to keep or delete, write instructions and activate available options such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager.

Four decisions to make

  • List the services: List the services, decide what to keep or delete, write instructions and activate available options such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager.
  • Sort your wishes: List the services, decide what to keep or delete, write instructions and activate available options such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager.
  • Write instructions: List the services, decide what to keep or delete, write instructions and activate available options such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager.
  • Enable available options: List the services, decide what to keep or delete, write instructions and activate available options such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager.

What can relatives do with Google after a death?

Google offers advance planning through Inactive Account Manager and a separate request process after death. Relatives may request account closure, funds or data; these are different procedures.

Google offers advance planning through Inactive Account Manager and a separate request process after death. Relatives may request account closure, funds or data; these are different procedures.

Steps to follow with Google

  • Define your request: Google reviews content requests individually and never shares the deceased person’s passwords or login credentials. Closing an account does not grant access to private mail.
  • Use Google’s procedure: Google reviews content requests individually and never shares the deceased person’s passwords or login credentials. Closing an account does not grant access to private mail.
  • Wait for review: Google reviews content requests individually and never shares the deceased person’s passwords or login credentials. Closing an account does not grant access to private mail.
  • Do not request credentials: Google reviews content requests individually and never shares the deceased person’s passwords or login credentials. Closing an account does not grant access to private mail.

Google reviews content requests individually and never shares the deceased person’s passwords or login credentials. Closing an account does not grant access to private mail.

What happens to Apple and Meta accounts?

Apple: a legacy contact, with limits

Apple offers a Legacy Contact feature, but eligibility, evidence and accessible data must be checked in its current official instructions.

Publicité

Apple offers a Legacy Contact feature, but eligibility, evidence and accessible data must be checked in its current official instructions.

Meta: memorializing a Facebook profile

Facebook profiles may be memorialized. This preserves a commemorative presence but does not give relatives access to private messages. Check Meta’s current rules.

Facebook profiles may be memorialized. This preserves a commemorative presence but does not give relatives access to private messages. Check Meta’s current rules.

Access, files and deletion: key differences

A family may close an account without obtaining files or preserve a public profile without reading private correspondence.

  • Google: Google reviews content requests individually and never shares the deceased person’s passwords or login credentials. Closing an account does not grant access to private mail.
  • Apple: Apple offers a Legacy Contact feature, but eligibility, evidence and accessible data must be checked in its current official instructions.
  • Meta / Facebook: Facebook profiles may be memorialized. This preserves a commemorative presence but does not give relatives access to private messages. Check Meta’s current rules.

What data remains inaccessible to heirs?

Messaging accounts remain personal. Confidentiality of correspondence means heirs do not automatically gain access. The CNIL notes that the GDPR does not apply to deceased persons’ data, but French rules and service procedures still matter.

Messaging accounts remain personal. Confidentiality of correspondence means heirs do not automatically gain access. The CNIL notes that the GDPR does not apply to deceased persons’ data, but French rules and service procedures still matter.

Messaging accounts remain personal. Confidentiality of correspondence means heirs do not automatically gain access. The CNIL notes that the GDPR does not apply to deceased persons’ data, but French rules and service procedures still matter.

Messaging accounts remain personal. Confidentiality of correspondence means heirs do not automatically gain access. The CNIL notes that the GDPR does not apply to deceased persons’ data, but French rules and service procedures still matter.

Why make these choices early?

A November 2024 survey cited by the CNIL found that nearly one-third of French people had encountered deceased users’ content on social media. Half preferred deletion after death, 26% selective retention and 21% indefinite visibility.

A November 2024 survey cited by the CNIL found that nearly one-third of French people had encountered deceased users’ content on social media. Half preferred deletion after death, 26% selective retention and 21% indefinite visibility.

Frequently asked questions

What can you decide about your accounts while alive?

List the services, decide what to keep or delete, write instructions and activate available options such as Google’s Inactive Account Manager.

How can relatives request Google data after a death?

Google offers advance planning through Inactive Account Manager and a separate request process after death. Relatives may request account closure, funds or data; these are different procedures.

Can an heir read the deceased person’s private messages?

Messaging accounts remain personal. Confidentiality of correspondence means heirs do not automatically gain access. The CNIL notes that the GDPR does not apply to deceased persons’ data, but French rules and service procedures still matter.

Can a Facebook account be kept as a memorial?

Facebook profiles may be memorialized. This preserves a commemorative presence but does not give relatives access to private messages. Check Meta’s current rules.