Facebook today added a tool allowing people to name a family member or friend who will be able to manage their account if/when they pass away.
Legacy contacts will be permitted limited access to a deceased user’s account. For example, they’ll be able to post information about memorial services, respond to friend requests from people not connected with the deceased before the time of their passing, and update the profile and cover photos.
Users can give the legacy contact permission to download posts and photos for archival purposes. Users can also choose to have their accounts permanently deleted. Legacy contacts will not be able to log in as the user, change the account settings, or see private messages. This feature is being rolled out to the U.S. first.
Facebook hopes to offer it to other countries over time.
