Swedes Prefer Deleting Over Preserving Digital Legacy, but Few Prepare a Digital Will
Internetstiftelsen's new report shows many Swedes prefer deleting digital accounts after death, yet few prepare a digital will, risking posthumous conflicts.
- • Two-thirds of Swedes care about their data after death, with 40% preferring deletion.
- • Only 10% have created a digital testament to manage online accounts posthumously.
- • Younger Swedes are more likely to want their digital memories preserved.
- • Björn Appelgren highlights the need for 'digital cleaning' akin to physical decluttering after death.
Key details
A recent report by Internetstiftelsen reveals that while two-thirds of Swedes care about their digital data after death, the majority prefer deleting over saving it. Approximately 40% of respondents want their digital accounts and data erased posthumously, whereas only around 24% wish to preserve their digital memories. The report highlights a generational divide, with younger Swedes more inclined to save their digital footprint, given their extensive use of social media to store memories.
However, despite these concerns, only 10% of Swedes have taken the step to create a digital testament, a formal directive outlining how their online accounts should be handled after their death. This lack of preparation can potentially lead to conflicts among survivors regarding digital account management, as there is no consensus on whether to delete or retain such data.
Björn Appelgren, Education Manager at Internetstiftelsen, stresses the importance of 'digital cleaning'—a process analogous to the physical decluttering people undertake after death. He underscores that this approach might reduce disputes among bereaved family members and provide clarity on digital legacies. The report recommends setting up a digital will, appointing a trusted individual to manage online accounts, and exploring available social media settings for deceased users, since managing digital legacies is complicated by varied policies across different platforms.
This emerging awareness among Swedes reflects growing concerns about what happens to individuals' digital lives after they pass, highlighting a need for increased dialogue and practical tools to handle digital estate planning effectively.