Majority of Dutch people unfamiliar with digital legacy

The Dutch pay little attention to their digital legacy and often haven't arranged it before their death. The term "digital legacy" is familiar to only 3 in 10 Dutch people. This is according to a study by research agency Kantar, commissioned by the Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) in connection with the modernization of the Burial and Cremation Act.

In its study , Kantar recommends that the minister encourage the Dutch to think about their legacy by making it more open to discussion. For example, when drawing up a will with a notary or in consultation with a funeral director.

Privacy
The survey also shows that the privacy of a deceased person is considered less important after their death. More than half of respondents believe it should be possible to access files on a phone or computer without permission. Online service providers could therefore consider providing easier access to the deceased's data for surviving relatives.

Inform
Half of Dutch people prefer to be informed about arranging their digital legacy via Rijksoverheid.nl before they die. After death, 33 percent also see a role for notaries in this. Currently, 61 percent have never considered their own digital legacy.

Solutions
A study by the University of Amsterdam offers the ministry three possible solutions to the current legal uncertainty surrounding digital inheritance. For example, various matters can be addressed within contract law to limit legal uncertainty for heirs. Another solution lies within data protection law. Certain rights and obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) can continue to apply after death. This could mean that personal data must be retained after death. The third option is a separate legal framework, similar to that in place in the United States, for example. This allows people to designate someone who should have access to their data from digital service providers after their death.