Google gives users control over their data in the afterlife

In this day and age, folks can leave behind a sizable digital footprint when they die. But who gets the data? What if you'd prefer that no one gets to see what you've stored on your email and social media accounts?

The data on your email and social media accounts, which technically exist on a corporate server, are likely subject to that company's terms of service. Depending on the email provider or social media company's policy, the data might not remain private or can't be transferred to a spouse or family member after your death.

Google quietly rolled out a new feature recently (hat tip Fast Company) that makes it easier for users to determine what happens to their digital assets if they die or can no longer use the account.

Google describes the so-called Inactive Account Manager on its blog:

What should happen to your photos, emails and documents when you stop using your account? Google puts you in control.

You might want your data to be shared with a trusted friend or family member, or, you might want your account to be deleted entirely. There are many situations that might prevent you from accessing or using your Google account. Whatever the reason, we give you the option of deciding what happens to your data.

Using Inactive Account Manager, you can decide if and when your account is treated as inactive, what happens with your data and who is notified.

The feature can be found on the Google Account settings page. Users can choose to have their data deleted after three, six, nine or 12 months of inactivity. Account holders also can select trusted contacts to receive data from some or all of the following services: +1s; Blogger; Contacts and Circles; Drive; Gmail; Google+ Profiles, Pages and Streams; Picasa Web Albums; Google Voice and YouTube.

Photo: Google/Connie Zhou

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com