Today's discussion concerning Facebook's policy on deceased users left me with a lot of questions so I decided to check out Facebook and see their actual stance on the issue. After searching for quite a bit of time, I finally found Facebook's most up to date policy on deceased member's accounts. Facebook deals with the issue in the "Help Center" under the title "Memorializing Accounts." They first explain what memorializing an account means:
When a user passes away, we memorialize their account to protect their privacy. Memorializing an account removes certain sensitive information (e.g., status updates and contact information) and sets privacy so that only confirmed friends can see the profile or locate it in search. The Wall remains so that friends and family can leave posts in remembrance. Memorializing an account also prevents all login access to it.
Facebook's approach to the controversial and touchy material of death is very well versed and respectful of the user's rights. It is an appropriate alternative to deleting the account altogether and allows for the deceased's user's family and friends to memorialize their loved one, while still respecting some boundaries with the removal of select information. It will be interesting to see how this new concept of "online grieving" plays out. Handling the passing of users will most certainly be a disputed topic for social networking sites in the future.
Although this is a somewhat morbid observation this topic is becoming especially relevant as the average age of users rises, creating a greater likelihood for the passing of users. It is inevitable that this issue will become more contested as the numbers of older users are growing at a rapid pace. According to data from iStrategyLab the number of Facebook users 55 and older grew 513.7% from January 2009 to July 2009. With this older demographic invading Facebook, no one can deny the relevance and importance of policy on the passing of users.
I think its a little bit strange that the page stays up for people to post on as a memorial. I understand that Facebook is trying to do what is best for the family and everything but what if Facebook crashes? It could happen. It has definitely happened before to different sites (as we discussed in class). I guess the memorial would only be as permanent as Facebook is.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is strange for facbeook to keep up a profile page of someone they know is deceased. It is almost insensitive to the family and will only remain a constant reminder of their loss. Although, remembering someone is good for the healing process I do not believe a "profile" on facebook is the best way to honor someone's memory.
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