Says American news channel, CBS News, the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs was worth some $6 billion. As a pioneer of the digital age, Jobs no doubt had extensive digital assets – including websites, bank accounts, online investments, blogs, iTunes and social media accounts. But what happens to these digital assets when we croak? Will strangers be able to access your digital footprint, and sensitive information, or will it merely fade into oblivion? Not something we like to think about, but still, it presented entrepreneurs Paul and Mark Golding with a business idea. With a dash of British black humour, they’ve named it iCroak.
What is iCroak?
Technology trends have always outpaced the law – currently, standard wills don’t take into account your digital inheritance, or the digital assets you leave behind when you pass over to the other side, unless they’re specifically mentioned. What’s more, people tend to forget to take their digital assets into account when drafting their wills. iCroak is a service which stores digital assets on a single hub. When you die, your nominated digital executor, or guardian, can carry out your specific wishes for each of your digital assets.
How Does iCroak Work?
A free iCroak account allows you to store sensitive information for your digital presences – social media accounts, PayPal, affiliate programmes, e-commerce dealings, AdSense, iTunes, Kindle, blogs, websites and more – creating a record of online assets. Paid membership accounts allow you to securely store and manage every aspect of your personal and professional digital legacy.
Upon your demise, your nominated guardian is required to submit a Death Certificate, the authenticity of which is verified by iCroak with the relevant authorities. Your digital guardian’s account is then activated, and s/he can transfer, maintain or delete accounts.
And for that ultra-sensitive stuff you don’t want anyone to access, there’s even a Mission Impossible-style self-destruct feature…how’s that for a business idea?
For more inspiration…
Check out these digital asset management companies:
- Legacy Locker – a safe, secure repository for your vital digital property
- Secure Safe – like having a Swiss bank account for information assets
- Great Goodbye – send an email from the grave…
- Image courtesy of iCroak
