Holding to a password policy more strict than that of AOL or Earthlink, Yahoo! has refused to turn over an e-mail account of a killed soldier to his father. While some providers treat e-mail passwords similarly to other possessions of a deceased soldier, divulging them to families upon receipt of a death certificate, Yahoo! forces next-of-kin to push the case through the courts. Problem is, Yahoo! e-mail accounts are destroyed if left unused for over 90 days—a short period in which to gain access through the court system. Some CNET readers offer criticism and prasie of Yahoo!'s strict policy here.
Yahoo! Holds Firm in Dead Soldier's E-mail Controversy
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. Yahoo SHOULD NOT provide the user password to anyone. That is private information and if the GI, dead or not, wanted anyone to be able to access his mail, he would have provided them the password.
Posted at 5:45AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Ernie Matlock
3. Personally, I have considered this before. Yahoo! SHOULD allow members to 'bequeath' the right to access to their next of kin in a Will, but I would not want family to gain access to my mail, so I would not 'leave' my password to another.
I believe that active 'internet people' would be smart to create a kind of cyber-will, pertaining to the e-mail accounts, forum personas, and other online info. If you're in a close knit group of any kind, or working on an important group project in the long term, your death or disability would not automatically be known to the others.
Unless the GI specified in his Will, Yahoo should not release the information.
Posted at 5:45AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Allan Menefee
1. I think that Yahoo is not being respectful of the father's wish. I thnk that the Privacy Act should be null and void when it comes to the death of a email account holder. The father is wanting to keep memories of his son not invade the privacy of others. Have respect for the soldier who was serving his country.
Posted at 5:45AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Cheryl G