In a recent study carried out by Kaspersky named Excitement, Superstation and Great Insecurity-How Global Consumers Engage with the Digital World reveals that approximately six out of ten (61%) of consumers believe that identities of deceased individuals are extremely vulnerable to identity theft.
According to the ‘Digital 2024 Overview Report’ by Kepios, 95% of online users, use social media platforms monthly, with 282 million new identities joining these platforms during the period of July 2023-July 2024.
As more and more people interact online and their digital footprints expand, concerns over privacy, legacy, and the ethical use of these digital identities become more prominent.
The Kaspersky study found that the majority of consumers (61%) believe that the digital identities of the deceased are highly susceptible to identity theft, as there is no active monitoring of their information circulating online.
What is more, more than half of the respondents (58%) agree that the online presence of deceased individuals could be recreated by AI.
However, opinions on this vary, with 35% of respondents stating that they consider the creation of an individual’s identity, who has passed away, with the help of photos and videos as acceptable, while a larger percentage (38%) disagrees.
It is also interesting that most respondents (67%) feel that viewing images of stories of individuals who have passed away would be distressing for their loved ones.
The study highlights that the majority of the most tech-savvy users agree that the only way to safeguard their online footprint after death is to turn to legal measures.
As indicated, 63% of consumers agree that anyone with an online presence should specify in their will how their data and social media accounts should be handled.
On its behalf, Kaspersky recommends a few critical steps, including the use of modern security solutions and keeping software updated in order to strengthen their digital privacy and protect their personal information from threats.
