Digital estate
Encyclopedia
The term digital estate refers to data
that can be inherited
. Digital asset
s are (in contrast to physical asset
s) more dynamic in appearance and fugacity. Data sets that can be inherited can include password
s, instructive memos, digital contract
s, digital receipt
s, pictures, medical information (e.g. about inheritable diseases).
Today, more and more values are resting on media that are not owned by the data owner but by service provider
s such as Google
, Apple, Microsoft
and Salesforce.com
. Also in contrast to physical values, electronic values can be copied indefinitely, which could be problematic if the asset represents intellectual property
. On the other hand it poses a challenge for many data heir
s to receive or to create copies for all interestees when they have limited IT skills themselves. A further challenge comes with the extreme proliferation of digital data. 5-10 Gigabytes new digital assets per year per family (if one takes digital pictures into account), is rather common.
Data heirs that are faced with an un-sorted data flood are often unable to separate the nice-to-have assets from crucial and core assets. Yet another problem is posed by the fact that contracts with service providers most often are automatically terminated (by the terms of service) as soon as the customer ceases to exist. Meaning that there is no right for the heirs to access that data. People's need to be able to pass on their digital assets have given rise to several companies, such as Entrustet, that specialize in providing consumers with ways to allow their heirs to inherit their digital assets after they die.
Data
The term data refers to qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which...
that can be inherited
Digital inheritance
Digital inheritance is the process of handing over digital assets to beneficiaries.- History :The Roman law introduced the concept of universal succession, which means that e.g...
. Digital asset
Digital asset
A digital asset is any item of text or media that has been formatted into a binary source that includes the right to use it. A digital file without the right to use it is not an asset. Digital assets are categorised in three major groups which may be defined as textual content , images and...
s are (in contrast to physical asset
Asset
In financial accounting, assets are economic resources. Anything tangible or intangible that is capable of being owned or controlled to produce value and that is held to have positive economic value is considered an asset...
s) more dynamic in appearance and fugacity. Data sets that can be inherited can include password
Password
A password is a secret word or string of characters that is used for authentication, to prove identity or gain access to a resource . The password should be kept secret from those not allowed access....
s, instructive memos, digital contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
s, digital receipt
Receipt
A receipt is a written acknowledgment that a specified article or sum of money has been received as an exchange for goods or services. The receipt is evidence of purchase of the property or service obtained in the exchange.-Printed:...
s, pictures, medical information (e.g. about inheritable diseases).
Today, more and more values are resting on media that are not owned by the data owner but by service provider
Service provider
A service provider is an entity that provides services to other entities. Usually, this refers to a business that provides subscription or web service to other businesses or individuals. Examples of these services include Internet access, Mobile phone operators, and web application hosting...
s such as Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
, Apple, Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
and Salesforce.com
Salesforce.com
Salesforce.com is an enterprise cloud computing company headquartered in San Francisco that distributes business software on a subscription basis. Salesforce.com hosts the applications off-site...
. Also in contrast to physical values, electronic values can be copied indefinitely, which could be problematic if the asset represents intellectual property
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
. On the other hand it poses a challenge for many data heir
Beneficiary
A beneficiary in the broadest sense is a natural person or other legal entity who receives money or other benefits from a benefactor. For example: The beneficiary of a life insurance policy, is the person who receives the payment of the amount of insurance after the death of the insured...
s to receive or to create copies for all interestees when they have limited IT skills themselves. A further challenge comes with the extreme proliferation of digital data. 5-10 Gigabytes new digital assets per year per family (if one takes digital pictures into account), is rather common.
Data heirs that are faced with an un-sorted data flood are often unable to separate the nice-to-have assets from crucial and core assets. Yet another problem is posed by the fact that contracts with service providers most often are automatically terminated (by the terms of service) as soon as the customer ceases to exist. Meaning that there is no right for the heirs to access that data. People's need to be able to pass on their digital assets have given rise to several companies, such as Entrustet, that specialize in providing consumers with ways to allow their heirs to inherit their digital assets after they die.
External links
- http://home.tiscalinet.ch/ugobechini/password_morto.pdf
- E-Z-Safe