Facebook changes policy for profiles of deceased users

[The Straight Story]

Facebook changes policy for profiles of deceased users

As if there weren't already enough reasons to be careful about what you say on social media, Facebook is now leaving the profiles of deceased users exactly as they were when they were alive.

Previously, Facebook's process for memorializing a profile included making it private to all but the family and friends of the deceased person. Now, whatever settings the profile had while a person was alive will remain after they're gone.

Facebook announced the change in policy in a blog post on Friday saying, "We are respecting the choices a person made in life while giving their extended community of family and friends ongoing visibility to the same content they could always see."

Naturally, death is a very delicate topic and Facebook has to be careful with announcements like this. Some may see keeping public profiles the way they were as just wrong.

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/national/facebook-changes-policy-profiles-deceased-users/ndY2k/

[Cirque du So-What]

1. I would expect

not to be clicking on the 'Like' button very often after my demise. Eventually, FB will find some excuse to purge the membership of the deceased, seeing that they're not contributing to online commerce and FB's bottom line.

[jsr]

2. Always Wear Clean Underwear, and Don't Use Facebook.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

3. It's going to be weird when reminded 3 years after lived one's death

That they "Like" Disney World" and J Crew.

[pipi_k]

8. The only way

that can happen is if the (dead) person himself actually clicks on the "like" button, or someone with access to his account and password takes over his page and "likes" certain things. Or even posts in the person's name.

Fortunately, my brother never left his password with anyone, so we're not seeing things like that. Only messages or tributes friends and family are posting on his wall from time to time.

[bettyellen]

11. Well, when they get tagged in pics you get the reminders. I was wondering if this is a good thing

in regards to a friend of mine who lost her young friend. She is constantly seeing him tagged since his young friends use FB a lot.
I hope it tapers off in another few months. But I am guessing she would not ever shut it down.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

15. It can now. Every so often Facebook decides to remind me who of my friends

Likes WalMart or Apple. They may have liked it a year ago, but I get to see their like whenever Facebook decides.

[Lex]

4. Some people are leaving passwords in a sealed envelope with their Wills

for the envelope to be opened by their Executor directing that person to log in and deal with and close online accounts after death.

[The Straight Story]

5. That is a good idea really (nt)

[Diamonique]

7. That is a wonderful idea.

I think I'll do that.

[X_Digger]

10. I have a file on my desktop with all my account info.

Not just for facebook, but also my email, various online banking pws, bill pay passwords, domain registrars, unix systems, etc etc.

My wife knows about the file, should something happen to me.

[msanthrope]

13. Print a hard copy. Trust me on this. nt

[X_Digger]

16. Not a bad idea. Thanks for the heads' up. n/t

[msanthrope]

17. When the Blue Screen of Death comes, you will be thankful. nt

[pipi_k]

6. Don't see

a problem with that.

After my brother passed away, I requested that his profile/page be memorialized.

Whatever settings he had while he was alive, that's what I would expect would still be in effect after his passing...i.e. the page was not made available to family and friends who were not already on his "Friends" list. It's exactly how it was the day before he died.

So, I'm not understanding what the hoopla is all about

[Matariki]

9. It really makes me sad when Facebook reminds me of dead friend's birthdays

and asks if I want to buy them a Starbucks card. Something that just happened recently regarding a friend who committed suicide. Very tasteless Facebook

[ChisolmTrailDem]

12. My stepson commited suicide in September and, yes, it was sad to see his

birthday announced just one month later, with an offer to send him a gift. If only I could...

[msanthrope]

14. I am so sorry. nt

[ChisolmTrailDem]

18. Thank you, misanthrope. Very tragic and traumatic for those of us who loved him. nt