Personal Privacy after Death
I stumbled upon an interesting piece of news. It seems that a Palestinian mother is asking Yahoo! for the password for the account of her deceased child who died in a bombing of Rafah last year. She says that in his Yahoo account he left a message and a will to her mother. As well there are pictures and photos that she would like to have access to. A similar story happened few months ago when a mother of an American Dead Soldier asked Yahoo for her son’s password.
I got into discussion about this with an online friend of mine, she thinks that the mother have no right to access her son’s account, while I see no harm. For example if the dead son had a closed closet or drawer, would anyone say that the family have no right to open it and look into it.. or look under his bed ? I am not sure, but for sure that doesn’t sound weird or odd for me.. What do you think ?
I agree with you, especially if the mother knows that she will have access to notes, a will, and pictures. I don’t think that Yahoo! or any other mail service has a right to keep such information from the parents of the deceased.
On a different, more personal note, I personally would hate it if anyone could access my email even after death, an email is just so much more personal and private than “a drawer”.
Isam, I just wanted to say that you’re doing a great job with Jordan Planet. The welcome notes, the “Highlights of the Week”, the new members… Really, your efforts are very deeply appreciated.
I think that having a look at my personal things even after my death is not ethical, But there is nothing I can do about it.
I dont agree, the son can easly left his will with anybody that gonna deliver it to his family upon his die.