Facebook Allows Users To Take Their Account With Them When They're Gone
By Edward Cardenas
SOUTHFIELD (CBS Detroit) - Facebook is now answering the question "what happens to my account when I die?"
The social network recently introduced the "Legacy Contact" feature which allows an account to become a virtual memorial to the user.
"Facebook is a place to share and connect with friends and family. For many of us, it's also a place to remember and honor those we've lost," Facebook wrote in a blog post. "When a person passes away, their account can become a memorial of their life, friendships and experiences."
The new feature allows a family member or friend manage an account when the user passes away. By selecting a legacy contact, the user has the option of sending that person a message informing them that they will have permission to download an archive of the posts, photos and profile info shared on Facebook when they pass away.
The legacy contact will also have the ability to:
- Write a post to display at the top of the memorialized Timeline. This could include announcing a memorial service or share a special message,
- Respond to new friend requests from family members and friends who were not yet connected on Facebook,
- Update the profile picture and cover photo,
- Download an archive of the photos, posts and profile information they shared on Facebook.
Facebook stated that the legacy contact will not be able to log in as the person who passed away or see that person's private messages. Additionally, users can let Facebook know if they would prefer to have their Facebook account permanently deleted after death.
"By talking to people who have experienced loss, we realized there is more we can do to support those who are grieving and those who want a say in what happens to their account after death," Facebook stated in the post.
