MacVoices #23194: Joe Kissell Takes Control of Your Digital Legacy (1)

Summary

In this episode of MacVoices, Chuck Joyner discusses the critical yet often overlooked topic of managing one's digital legacy with author Joe Kissel. Kissel's book, 'Take Control of Your Digital Legacy,' guides listeners on how to prepare for the handling of their digital assets after death. They delve into the complexities of preserving access to cloud-based services, the policies of tech giants like Apple and Google regarding deceased users, and the importance of planning for the transfer of digital property. The conversation highlights the necessity of addressing digital estate planning to prevent potential issues for loved ones and ensure a smooth transition of online legacies.

Takeaways

• 📚 Joe Kissel discusses the importance of managing your digital legacy, including digital assets that are often overlooked in traditional wills.
• 💾 Digital assets like photographs, emails, and documents stored in the cloud require special attention to ensure the right people can access them after death.
• ⚠️ Companies like Google and Apple have specific policies and tools for handling accounts after death, but these policies can be complex and vary widely.
• 📅 Google allows users to set inactive account managers who can access parts of your data if your account is inactive for a specified period.
• 🔑 Apple offers Legacy Contacts who can access most of your iCloud data upon providing a death certificate and other required documentation.
• 📉 Digital media purchases, such as movies and music, are licensed to the individual and access to these can be lost after death if not managed correctly.
• 📜 To preserve online content like blogs, users can consider downloading local copies or donating data to the Internet Archive for long-term preservation.
• 📽️ Internet Archive can be a more reliable long-term storage option for digital media compared to commercial services like YouTube or Vimeo.
• 🔍 Tools like web crawlers or applications like DevonThink Pro can help download and preserve entire websites or blogs for offline access.
• 🛠️ Ensuring access to digital assets can also provide backup access to personal data in case of account lockouts or other issues while still alive.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in this episode of Mac Voices?

The main topic discussed is how to take control of your digital legacy, with guest Joe Kissel providing insights and advice.

Why is taking control of your digital legacy considered important?

It's important because it helps ensure that your digital assets, such as photos, documents, and online accounts, are properly managed and accessible to your loved ones after you pass away.

What are some examples of digital assets mentioned in the discussion?

Examples of digital assets include photographs, emails, documents, Google Docs, Bitcoin, and any files stored in cloud services like iCloud or Dropbox.

What does Joe Kissel say about the emotional aspect of dealing with digital legacy?

Joe acknowledges that dealing with digital legacy is a morbid topic but emphasizes its importance in saving pain for both the individual and their loved ones by ensuring proper management of digital assets.

How does Google handle inactive accounts in relation to digital legacy?

Google has policies in place for inactive accounts where users can set a time period for inactivity after which Google will notify designated contacts and provide them access to specific data categories if the user does not respond.

What is Apple's approach to managing digital accounts after a person has passed away?

Apple allows users to set up Legacy Contacts who can gain access to most of the data in the user's iCloud account after providing a death certificate and other verification, although access to media purchases is immediately revoked.

What should you do if you want to preserve a blog or website after your passing?

Options include downloading a copy of all the data, having someone continue to pay for hosting, or donating the content to the Internet Archive to ensure its preservation.

Why might the Internet Archive be a good option for preserving digital content?

The Internet Archive is trusted for long-term preservation of digital content and can make data publicly accessible, ensuring it remains available even if the original hosting service goes away.

What challenges exist in preserving purchased media such as movies and music?

Purchased media is typically licensed to the individual and not owned outright, so access is often revoked after death according to the terms of service, making it challenging to legally pass on these assets.

What advice does Joe Kissel offer for ensuring access to important data stored in the cloud?

Joe advises setting up mechanisms with cloud service providers to ensure that designated individuals can access important data, and considering backup options for both digital and physical assets to avoid data loss.