Are your online accounts protected by a social media will? - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Are your online accounts protected by a social media will?

Posted: Updated:
When you die, who will control your social media accounts like Facebook or LinkedIn? When you die, who will control your social media accounts like Facebook or LinkedIn?
ATLANTA -

When you die, who will control your social media accounts like Facebook and LinkedIn?  It's something you may not have thought about, but FOX 5 I-Team reporter Dana Fowle says the government wants you to put those instructions in your will.

If you're like many people, you probably have dozens of online accounts.  Some of those sites contain your private information.  So, let's say you upload your private pictures to a photography site. What happens to those photos when you die?

A government blog recommends that you get a social media will and an online executor. Based on your wishes, the executor can then manage your accounts by either leaving them up for a certain length of time, or shutting them down immediately.

But what should you do about your passwords?  The government blog suggests putting your usernames and passwords in the will. However, over the course of time, those passwords change. Getting an online password vault is one solution. Using an online vault means you only need one password, and it's a safe place to store all of your account passwords.

  • I-Team Story Archive

  • FOX 5 I-Team investigates

    Monday, May 20 2013 11:12 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:12:38 GMT
    The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys.
    The Douglas County district attorney used seized drug money to take support staff to a north Georgia training conference designed for prosecuting attorneys. The FOX 5 I-Team followed along and found the four women didn't even register to attend the conference.  
  • Monday, May 20 2013 8:26 AM EDT2013-05-20 12:26:58 GMT
    How many bank accounts do you have?  Most of us have a few.  But it might be time to start paring down.
    How many bank accounts do you have?  Most of us have a few.  But it might be time to start paring down.
  • Monday, May 20 2013 6:44 AM EDT2013-05-20 10:44:05 GMT
    Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.
    Maria Boudet is a teen who had been living in foster care. She worked hard and earned a college scholarship. But the scholarship was revoked when Boudet's life-long wish was answered; she was adopted.

Contact the FOX 5 I-Team

* denotes required fields

Log InNot you? Log out
We're sorry, but only one entry is allowed per person.
Thank you for your continued interest.

Thanks for contacting FOX 5.  To reach our newsroom by phone, please call (404) 898-0100.

  • Good Day Archive

  • Meet the Good Day Pets for Tuesday, May 21!
    Meet the Good Day Pets for Tuesday, May 21!
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:37 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:37:54 GMT
    It's summer swimsuit time-- but is your suit right for your body?
    It's summer swimsuit time-- but is your suit right for your body?  Whether you're curvy, boxy, or round in the middle, Intimacy Bra fit specialist Eve Turner has some ideas that will help you find that perfect suit.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:24 GMT
    When it comes to talking to doctors, a lot of us aren't exactly shooting straight.  In fact, one survey found that almost 30 percent of patients admit to lying to their physician.
    When it comes to talking to doctors, a lot of us aren't exactly shooting straight.  In fact, one survey found that almost 30 percent of patients admit to lying to their physician.  So, how much does your doctor really need to know?
  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:02 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:02:05 GMT
    Limited service resumed Tuesday afternoon on Metro-North and Amtrak trains followed by full service on Wednesday, the MTA said.
    Limited service resumed Tuesday afternoon on Metro-North and Amtrak trains followed by full service on Wednesday, the MTA said.
  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 9:51 PM EDT2013-05-22 01:51:10 GMT
    Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
    Just a few days after Mark Carson, 32, was killed for being gay, and only a few hours after a massive rally in the west village calling for an end to the anti-gay violence, it happened again.
  • American Idol

    Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:55 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:55:07 GMT
    American Idol winner Candice Glover and runner up Kree Harrison made an important stop on their whirlwind tour of New York City.
    American Idol winner Candice Glover and runner up Kree Harrison made an important stop on their whirlwind tour of New York City.
Powered by WorldNow
Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices