In a digital world, your online presence doesn’t disappear when you do. From Instagram photos to TikTok videos, X (formerly Twitter) posts to YouTube channels , your social media accounts form part of your digital legacy. But what happens to these platforms when you pass away? And who controls them?
In British Columbia, your digital assets are part of your estate, but unless you plan ahead, your family may struggle to access or manage them. In 2025, as more Canadians live their lives online, estate planning now includes digital assets , and AI is raising new questions about content ownership.
Here’s what you need to know about managing your social media after death, and how to make it easier for your loved ones to honour your wishes.
What Happens to Your Social Media Accounts After You Die?
Each platform has its own policy:
- Facebook / Instagram (Meta): Allows memorialization or full deletion with prior instructions.
- TikTok: Offers no direct memorial feature , family may request account removal with proof.
- X (Twitter): Allows account deactivation by a verified family member.
- Google (YouTube, Gmail, etc.): Offers the Inactive Account Manager to designate what happens.
- Apple / iCloud: Supports Digital Legacy contacts to access your data.
Without clear instructions, it can be difficult or even impossible for your family to log in, remove posts, or close your accounts.
Why Planning Ahead Matters More in 2025
- AI-generated content (e.g. voice clones, deepfakes, or avatars) may live on and be shared indefinitely.
- Some people now monetize their social media (e.g. YouTube creators, affiliate marketers).
- Online content can be copied, republished, or exploited after death , especially without control.
- Your online identity may outlive your physical one , and become a digital ghost without direction.
Planning ahead gives your executor or trusted person the authority to manage these assets, reduce risk, and protect your reputation.
What Are Digital Assets in Estate Planning?
Digital assets include:
- Social media accounts and content
- Email accounts
- Domain names or websites
- Streaming and subscription services (e.g. Netflix, Spotify)
- Cryptocurrency wallets
- Cloud storage (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox)
- AI-generated content, avatars, or intellectual property linked to your likeness or name
In BC, these are legally part of your estate, but most wills do not include clear digital asset instructions.
How to Plan for Your Digital Legacy
- List your accounts and logins
- Use a secure password manager or legacy file
- Include platform, username, and what you’d like done with it
- Name a digital executor (if allowed)
- In BC, you can name an executor in your will who is responsible for managing digital assets
- This could be the same or separate from your primary executor
- Use platform tools
- Set up Facebook’s Legacy Contact or Google’s Inactive Account Manager
- For Apple, designate a Digital Legacy Contact under iCloud settings
- Include instructions in your will
- State whether you want accounts deleted, memorialized, archived, or transferred
- Work with a lawyer to ensure this language is enforceable in BC
- Talk to your loved ones
- Share your wishes while you’re alive to avoid confusion later
Can AI Content Be Inherited or Controlled?
In 2025, many people use AI to create:
- Blog posts, videos, art, music, or business content
- Avatars or digital clones (for social media or customer service)
Whether you “own” that content , and how it’s transferred , depends on the tools used and whether your likeness is involved.
Pro tip: If you use generative AI tools (like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Synthesia) as part of a business or brand, include instructions in your estate plan to:
- Identify where the content is stored (cloud folders, websites, automation tools)
- Transfer licensing rights, access credentials, and brand control to a named person or entity
Legal Tools to Support Digital Asset Planning
- Will with digital asset clause: Add clear instructions on who handles your digital presence
- Representation Agreement: May cover online communication decisions if you become incapacitated
- Power of Attorney: Covers financial decisions , not digital content, but can support subscription and platform payments (see Power of Attorney guide)
- Trusts: In rare cases, intellectual property or monetized content can be placed in a trust (explore Trusts in BC)
How a Lawyer Can Help
Without clear legal instructions, your family may hit privacy laws, terms of service, or platform lockouts. A lawyer can:
- Draft enforceable will clauses for digital assets
- Help assign a digital executor
- Review AI-generated content and its transferability
- Ensure your estate plan reflects your modern digital life
At Munro & Crawford, we help clients across BC plan for more than just physical assets , because your legacy lives online, too.
Your Digital Life Deserves a Plan
In 2025, protecting your digital identity is part of protecting your legacy. Social media is more than entertainment , it’s where you’ve shared memories, built communities, and sometimes even generated income.
Take the time now to decide what happens to your accounts, your content, and your online voice. Your future self , and your family , will thank you.
