ARTICLE · 13 MAY 2013

Creating A Digital Inheritance For Online Assets And Personal Data

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A discussion on the law as to how online items pass on our death.

United KingdomFamily and Matrimonial

We are holding increasingly valuable items online, but the law as to how such items pass on our death is far from clear. However, Google has become the first of the large internet service providers to address this problem with the launch of a tool that will allow users to pass their Google-run accounts to loved ones after they die.

Digital assets can include software, downloaded content, and even online gaming and gambling accounts. In Britain alone, The Economist has estimated holdings of digital music may be worth over £9 billion. It is, however, important to distinguish between what is an online asset and what is personal data and who can access your online accounts after you die.

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