I definitely agree with you that not all data should be removed. I don't want everything I ever thought to go to waste.
But the question comes, if you are a person like me who never shares their passwords with anyone, how will others be able to log into my social networking and messaging accounts and deactivate it? Do I leave a note in the drawer to my PC saying "IN CASE I DIE" with the password to my desktop computer, which then has a .txt document "IN CASE I DIE 2" on the desktop with all the passwords to all my accounts where I want it to be deactivated?
The good part is, when I die, I probably won't care about it anymore. The sad part is, while I'm alive, I still think of others seeing my face on Facebook or Skype or whatever and instantly going into nostalgia mode when I'm gone. I'd hate that.
I guess if you don't use a service that arranges this, a .txt file hidden in your HDD or USB with necessary documents is the best bet? I keep thinking in my mind that the USB is best and either giving it to trusted person or placing it in will. But then I think, what if I'm forced by a website to update my password (e.g. online banking) and forget to update my document...then the person trying to shut down my stuff gets locked out anyway. Hopefully I don't have to worry too much about this just yet and can continue living in ignorant bliss of the future. And, who knows, I wouldn't doubt that in 5 years there's a greater variety of options for dealing with digital account post-mortem.
I definitely agree with you that not all data should be removed. I don't want everything I ever thought to go to waste.
But the question comes, if you are a person like me who never shares their passwords with anyone, how will others be able to log into my social networking and messaging accounts and deactivate it? Do I leave a note in the drawer to my PC saying "IN CASE I DIE" with the password to my desktop computer, which then has a .txt document "IN CASE I DIE 2" on the desktop with all the passwords to all my accounts where I want it to be deactivated?
The good part is, when I die, I probably won't care about it anymore. The sad part is, while I'm alive, I still think of others seeing my face on Facebook or Skype or whatever and instantly going into nostalgia mode when I'm gone. I'd hate that.
I guess if you don't use a service that arranges this, a .txt file hidden in your HDD or USB with necessary documents is the best bet? I keep thinking in my mind that the USB is best and either giving it to trusted person or placing it in will. But then I think, what if I'm forced by a website to update my password (e.g. online banking) and forget to update my document...then the person trying to shut down my stuff gets locked out anyway. Hopefully I don't have to worry too much about this just yet and can continue living in ignorant bliss of the future. And, who knows, I wouldn't doubt that in 5 years there's a greater variety of options for dealing with digital account post-mortem.
I think we need better solutions for this. You may want your account deactivated but not want anyone to go through your account.