California Bill Would Protect Social Media Accounts After Death

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers are trying to address one problem with dying in an age of widespread social media and electronic communication: What happens to your digital life when you die?

A bill approved by the state Assembly on Monday would give guidelines for judges to follow before they could order electronic providers to turn over electronic information to the executor or administrator of an estate.

Assemblyman Ian Calderon, a Democrat from Whittier, says his AB691 tries to strike a balance between privacy and letting estate administrators access email and social media accounts to resolve issues related to assets or liabilities.

Technology companies and business organizations support the so-called Privacy Expectation Afterlife and Choices Act.

It passed on a 76-0 vote and now goes to the Senate.