Passwords, Messages, Memories: Digital Legacy - The Hidden Side of Our Connected Lives

In 2021, Kat and Mike Stickler, a young American influencer couple, announced their separation. For months, they had amused, charmed, and entertained millions on TikTok by sharing their family’s daily life. Their joint account, MikeandKat, had over 4 million followers. But when their love story ended, another question arose: Who would keep the account? It was no longer just a page of videos—it had become a job, an identity, a shared memory. And that’s where things unraveled. Behind the likes and shares lie very real stakes: What happens to our digital lives when our real ones fall apart? 

What Is a Digital Legacy?  

A digital legacy refers to all the digital assets and data a person leaves behind after their death (to be cited as a blockquote in the blog). 

Meta’s launch campaign once declared, "The metaverse may be virtual, but its impact will be real." This key phrase underscores the weight of our online presence in our daily lives. Everything now exists online : bank accounts, social media, photos, and more. Our digital footprint is inescapable—and unfortunately, it doesn’t disappear when we die. 

Moreover, some digital properties, like social media accounts, are literal legal assets or income-generating tools. Unlike a house or a car, whose value is clear and regulated, these digital assets raise new questions. For example: Who inherits a couple’s TikTok account—followed by millions for its romantic content—after a breakup? This was the question a judge had to answer for Kat and Mike Stickler. The volatile nature of an account’s appeal and how quickly audiences lose interest in outdated content play a major role in platform dynamics. In this case, Kat Stickler proved that without her, the 4-million-follower TikTok account would fade. She seems to have been right : after gaining custody, the account now boasts over 10 million followers, while her ex-husband’s YouTube account remains inactive.  

What Happens to Your Digital Legacy After Death in Africa? 

Another tragic gray area arises when death enters the equation. Some platforms offer solutions, but they vary widely. For instance, Facebook and TikTok allow users to designate a digital heir (a legacy contact to manage the account after death) or convert the profile into a memorial page. However, this option isn’t available everywhere. 

After death, gaining access to digital accounts—whether online banking, social media, or cloud storage—is often fraught with legal hurdles. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or messaging services (WhatsApp, Gmail, etc.) lack uniform rules for posthumous account management. In some cases, heirs can access accounts through legal mandates or court orders, but the process is lengthy and complex. 

A critical issue is postmortem personal data protection. While Europe’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) includes specific provisions for managing data after death, Africa’s legal landscape differs. Few African countries have explored legislation around digital confidentiality and legacy management. That said, discussions are underway to address these gaps, mirroring global efforts. 

How AI Could Help Manage Digital Legacy 

Artificial intelligence (AI) could play a crucial role in managing digital legacy after someone passes away. By automating the handling of digital accounts, AI could, for instance, detect account inactivity and trigger predefined actions, such as transferring access rights or turning the account into a memorial profile. 

Additionally, AI-based encryption systems and secure access protocols could ensure the protection of personal data, allowing for safe transmission to heirs. AI could also facilitate the automation of smart contracts, enabling the transfer of digital assets based on predefined conditions, and offer automated legal guidance to beneficiaries. 

Finally, artificial intelligence could help resolve conflicts related to digital inheritance by providing data analysis tools and supporting digital legacy planning, allowing users to list their assets and specify who will inherit what. 

In the digital age, our lives are increasingly stored in virtual spaces. Digital legacies—whether social accounts, financial assets, or personal memories—are now an inescapable part of our heritage. AI promises to streamline this legacy’s management, ensuring secure, transparent, and fair transitions to legal heirs. As legal systems grapple with these challenges, technological solutions will undoubtedly shape the future of estate planning. 

Perhaps it’s time to start thinking about your own digital legacy—and take steps to protect your data and assets.