[kictanet] What should happen to personal data when someone dies?

[Alex Comninos]

> Data has a personal aspect as well as commercial aspect, among others. It is property which upon the demise of the "owner" should pass to his/ her estate just as is the case with other assets. The "how" of administration of data after death ought to be covered in the data law in the making, the law to apply alongside the law of succession.

I think its a great idea that data protection laws could enable the execution of how private data and personal information is handled according to the deceased last will and testament. This should be seen in the sense of executing the last will and testament of the deceased though, not treating ones data as property.

When I die, there is a LOT of personal information and private information I should like to the grave, some of which I would like to be shared. I would not like all my private and memories and personal memories to become “property” of my next of kin when I am dead, solely because they left a digital footprint.