Skip to Content

Protecting your on-line memories.

The answer to the question what would you save if your house was on fire? in the olden days always included the prized family photos, 'they can never be replaced', well times have changed and I doubt that would enter the mind of anyone below the age of 25, but do we protect those memories as we once did, I guess the difference is that photos were once tangible but now we live in the digital age.

Many of us post our photos on Facebook amongst other social web sites, but are we protecting our photographic legacy? who actually owns the digital images once on-line?

In a recent survey over 2,000 people were asked what they think happens to digital images on Facebook if a user passes away, a third of people said Facebook owned the images and only one in five said the next of kin, the others had no idea.

So who does?

The biggest problem answering this is that it's all so new, but more and more cases are coming to light about disputes between relatives and social media providers, there is no code of conduct that all social media companies conform with.

In so many cases the deceased has password protected their account making it difficult to get the information if the on-line company will not co-operate. This was recently highlighted in the media where a 19 yrs old sadly passed away and the family continued to use her account to contact people and share memories, this became a great comfort to the family, until one day the account was locked by Facebook, in accordance with their terms and conditions, the account was locked and could no longer be accessed.

The biggest problem is that whilst we all consider our assets when drawing up a Will, we do not consider the new digital family album.

We do need to consider our online footprint, passwords for everything e.g. bank and social media accounts, what would you want to happen with them in the event of your death?

When you are considering drawing up a Will, or making a revision, make sure you don't leave out your digital wishes.

Protecting your on-line memories.
Image Description
related news
recent articles
Major Change in Divorce Law - no fault divorces

Government to finally introduce 'no-fault' Divorce laws..

link

The legal rights of unmarried couples.

The legal rights of unmarried couples, regarding property. - In the event of the breakup of a relationship where the couple are not married what happens to the ..

Registering your Childs Birth.

Registration of a Childs birth is a legal requirement - understand what you need to do...

Appointing a Solicitor

Guide to some of the factors people use when appointing a Solicitor...

Civil partnership for Heterosexual Couples

A change in the marriage laws..

link

Intestate

If someone has died intestate you may need a probate solicitor to help deal with the estate, this guide helps explain the steps needed...

Injunctions.

How to apply for one, and what is an injunction? - If you are seeking an injunction we would recommend that you take immediate advice...

Domestic Violence Guide

Domestic violence is not just physical violence, it can take many forms, which a person may use to control a partner, if you are suffering domestic violence cal..

How to end a Civil Partnership.

Whilst a Civil partnership is different to a marriage in many way..

link

Guide to Family Mediation

The objective of Family Mediation is to provide a less confrontational approach to separation than the traditional Legal Model, helping parents communicate to f..

Clare`s Law - Domestic Violence.

The domestic violence disclosure scheme named after domestic violence victim Clare Wood has been brought in throughout England and Wales. If you feel you could ..

Child Custody.

Child custody can be the most emotive issue in a divorce, the law will decide who is the primary carer of a child, and where a child should live, quite often it..

Image Description
Is there anything wrong with this page? - any amendments will receive accreditation - email us

Solicitors.com are not a firm of solicitors, and any content on the site should not be used in substitute for obtaining Legal advice from a solicitor regulated in the UK, Solicitors.com recommends that you contact a firm of solicitors to discuss your individual legal requirement. Whilst we strive to bring you accurate up to date content, all content on this site is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be correct. Use of this site does not create a client relationship.

Information by area of law
Back to top