Every so often our Facebook newsfeed is inundated with posts from Facebook users declaring that Facebook is prohibited from sharing their personal information, pictures, or content. Do these posts really work?
The short answer is “No.” As the owner and operator of the site, Facebook has the right to set the terms and conditions of users accessing their site. By accessing and using Facebook you automatically agree to Facebook’s terms and conditions.
While you cannot control Facebook’s privacy terms simply by a post on your page, you can do the following to control, protect, and preserve your digital assets:
1. Draft an inventory list of your digital assets, such as email accounts, Instagram photos, Twitter accounts, LinkedIn profiles, credit card points, hotel points, airline mileage, Etsy shops, domain names, PayPal account, Bitcoins, or Amazon or other store credits.
2. Appoint a Facebook “legacy contact” who can manage your account after your death. This person has the ability to share a final message, update pictures, or respond to friend requests. This person cannot remove or change past posts or photos, read private messages, or remove friends. Alternatively, you may choose to have your account permanently deleted after your death.
3. For other digital assets, it is important to draft a legal document that names the person or people who will have access to these accounts so that your digital assets can be protected and preserved if something happens to you while you’re alive, or after your death.
4. Provide instructions in a memorandum so that the person or people you selected to manage your digital assets know what to do with your digital assets.
If you are interested in learning more about protecting your digital assets please call the office to schedule an appointment. We would be glad to meet with you for a no hassle initial consultation, free of charge, no matter how long it lasts.
