As social media continues to grow, so does the number of accounts belonging to deceased users, leading to the emergence of what is now known as “digital graveyards.” ExpressVPN, a leading VPN service provider, has conducted a study projecting the number of deceased accounts on four major social media platforms in different countries.
The findings reveal that the United States is expected to have a staggering 659 million deceased accounts by the year 2100, nearly double the country’s population.
The Evolution of Deceased Account Management
With the increasing number of deceased accounts, it is inevitable that social media companies will need to evolve their approaches to managing these accounts. This evolution will not only involve technological advancements but also changes in societal attitudes towards digital legacies.
The Importance of Making Arrangements
While it may seem morbid, it is crucial for individuals to make arrangements regarding their online accounts after their passing. This is not only to control their online legacy but also to protect their personal data. In today’s digital age, almost everyone leaves behind a data legacy, whether it’s a collection of photos, email accounts, or social media posts. Being able to preserve and access these memories online can provide comfort to loved ones.
The Growth of Digital Graveyards
With approximately 5 billion people using social media worldwide, the proliferation of deceased accounts is becoming a reality. This raises questions about which countries will experience the largest growth of digital graveyards and how social media platforms plan to address this issue.
ExpressVPN conducted an analysis focusing on four popular social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok—in eight countries: the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
Projected Deceased Accounts
ExpressVPN’s projections for the number of deceased accounts on social media platforms in select countries reveal some interesting trends. In the United States, the number of deceased accounts is projected to nearly double the country’s population by 2100, with 659 million deceased users overshadowing the predicted population of 366 million.
The United Kingdom is expected to have around 70 million deceased accounts by 2100, matching the living population. Germany and France also show similar patterns, with deceased users projected to exceed the living populations by 31 million and 38 million, respectively. Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal are predicted to have deceased users vastly outnumbering the living by 2100.
Which Platform Will Host the Most Digital Legacies?
Focusing on the United States, the country with the largest social media user base, ExpressVPN analyzed projections for deceased users across all four main social media platforms—Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. The analysis reveals that Facebook is projected to have the largest number of deceased accounts by 2100, with an estimated 278.6 million profiles belonging to deceased users.
Instagram and TikTok are also expected to have significant numbers of deceased users, with projections of 158.7 million and 126.5 million, respectively, by 2100. X, on the other hand, is projected to have a relatively low number of deceased users, with 94.9 million by 2100.
The Cost of Hosting Digital Legacies
The prospect of social media platforms turning into digital cemeteries not only raises emotional and ethical considerations but also financial implications. Maintaining the accounts of deceased individuals is already a significant expense for social media companies.
Based on the assumption that an average social media profile requires 1GB of storage, the annual cost to store the profiles of an estimated 278.6 million deceased Facebook users in the United States by 2100 would reach about 67 million USD. These costs highlight the potential financial burden on social media platforms in the future.
The Need for New Policies and Alternatives
As the number of deceased accounts continues to rise, social media platforms may be forced to rethink their policies. This could include the introduction of fees for maintaining a deceased user’s profile, limitations on the data stored, or even the deletion of profiles after a certain period of inactivity.
Additionally, alternative platforms for remembrance may arise, such as decentralized digital memorials, blockchain-based solutions for eternal storage, or AI-driven platforms that can generate interactive memorials without extensive data storage. Privacy and data protection for the digital footprints of the deceased are also becoming increasingly recognized worldwide, with some countries enacting laws to safeguard digital assets.
Preparing Your Digital Legacy
Until social media companies and regulatory frameworks offer clear and sustainable solutions for digital legacies, the responsibility falls on individuals to ensure their online presence is managed according to their wishes after they pass away. Social media platforms already provide options for users to make arrangements for their accounts in the event of their death.
Facebook offers two main options for accounts posthumously: memorialization or deletion. A memorialized account becomes a space for friends and family to gather and share memories. Facebook also allows users to appoint a Legacy Contact, someone they trust to manage their account once it’s memorialized. Alternatively, users can choose to have their account completely deleted upon their passing.
Instagram provides similar posthumous options to Facebook. Memorialized accounts on Instagram display “Remembering” beside the user’s name, preserving their digital presence for friends and family. The process for memorialization happens posthumously, requiring friends or family to contact Instagram directly. Deletion of an account requires verification from a close family member.
X
X does not offer a system for memorializing accounts. If individuals wish to have their X account remain active after their passing, they need to share their login details with a trusted person. X categorizes an account as inactive if it hasn’t been used in the last 30 days.
TikTok
For TikTok, a family member or legal representative can contact TikTok support with a death certificate to delete the account from the platform.
Google and YouTube
Google provides an Inactive Account Manager tool for users to decide the fate of their accounts, including YouTube, after a period of inactivity. Users can set up notifications for trusted contacts or choose to have their account deleted after a specified period of inactivity.
Digital Assets and Subscription Services
For digital assets not covered by specific platform policies, individuals should compile a list of all their digital accounts and login details. This list can be incorporated into a digital will or shared with a trusted individual who can handle the accounts after their passing. Cancelling subscriptions while still alive can also make it easier for executors to manage accounts.
Conclusion
The rise of deceased accounts on social media platforms raises complex questions about the management, ethical considerations, and financial implications involved. As the number of deceased accounts continues to grow, social media companies will need to adapt their policies and find sustainable solutions. In the meantime, individuals should take proactive steps to prepare their digital legacies and ensure their online presence is managed according to their wishes.
FAQs
1. Can I choose someone to manage my social media accounts after I pass away?
Yes, social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow users to appoint a Legacy Contact who can manage their accounts after they pass away.
2. What happens to a deceased person’s social media accounts if no arrangements are made?
If no arrangements are made, social media platforms may either memorialize the account or delete it upon notification of the user’s death.
3. Are there any alternatives to traditional social media platforms for remembering the deceased?
Yes, alternative platforms such as decentralized digital memorials, blockchain-based solutions, and AI-driven platforms are emerging as alternatives for remembering the deceased.
4. How much does it cost social media platforms to maintain deceased accounts?
Maintaining deceased accounts is a considerable expense for social media platforms, with storage costs estimated at 0.02 USD per GB per month.
5. How can I protect the digital footprints of the deceased from unauthorized access?
Safeguarding the digital footprints of the deceased against unauthorized access can be done by enacting laws and regulations on privacy and data protection, as well as designating a Trustee or Executor for digital assets.
