Dubai residents can now inherit social media accounts, online assets

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Dubai residents can now legally pass on management of their social media accounts, and other online assets such as cryptocurrencies, after passing away. Meaning virtual estates can now be shut down in the same way as tangible assets.

For European expatriates living in the UAE with a Will registered at the DIFC courts, all they have to do is include clear instructions in their Will to ensure that their virtual estates are disposed of in the same way as their houses, bank accounts etc.

For those who wish to pass on their accounts, they are being urged to allow passwords or other information, to be stored in a safety deposit box, or in a written document held by a lawyer.

For years, lawyers and lawmakers around the globe have been grappling with the legal status of online assets, not just personal data on sites such as Facebook or YouTube, but also valuable resources such as holdings in cryptocurrencies.

But following a landmark ruling in Germany last week which confirmed that social media accounts can be inherited by a beneficiary, the ruling has immediate relevance here for some residents.

At present, some of the biggest social media giants have varying ways in which accounts can be dealt with once the user has passed away.

Facebook allows you to appoint a Legacy Contact who can post a final message on your timeline. Instagram allows you to memorialise an account after the user passes away, but the account cannot be altered in anyway, while Twitter will not allow anyone to have partial access to your account. They will only work with you to gain access once you can prove the death of a loved one.

In a survey carried out last year, DIFC courts reported that 89 per cent of people reiterated that they would want all social media accounts to be deleted in the eventuality of death, but the process of going about to ensure this was done was unclear.

"The law on the disposal of online assets is changing fast with the latest ruling out of Germany showing the direction that lawmakers are now taking," Sean Hird, Director of the DIFC Wills Service Centre said.

"Rather than leaving a Will silent on such matters, and hope the law will evolve in a way consistent with your wishes, it makes sense to leave clear instructions in your Will on who should and shouldn't have access and ownership to your accounts when you pass away."

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