How do I manage a loved one's Netflix account after their death?

Netflix is one of the leaders of SVOD in the world. In 2023, the company can thus boast of having gathered no less than 682.7 million users. This very impressive figure is the result of a further increase in the number of subscribers with a growth of 5.6% compared to 2022. Thanks to its extensive catalog, the firm has undoubtedly managed to become a transgenerational success.

Therefore, chances are that your loved ones have a Netflix account. Now, if you have had to endure the bereavement of one of these loved ones lately, perhaps you should manage the deceased person's Netflix account. This is because without action from loved ones, an online account can remain on the internet and sometimes fall prey to malicious people, including hackers. 

We know that there is little information available on the transfer of digital assets. That's why we guide you step by step so that you can take the necessary actions.

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Digital identity and French legislation

First of all, it is important to establish the legislative framework related to digital death. Indeed, the French law "Informatique et Libertés" on the protection of personal data and in particular article 85 protects consumers.

As specified by the CNIL (Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés), the law " provides that the heirs of a deceased person who can prove their identity may ask the person in charge of a file to take into account the death of the latter, and to proceed with the updating of his data."

As we can see, a legitimate heir can therefore act. However, if the deceased did not legally name you as the heir to his or her digital property and assets, this can be more complicated. In this case, it all depends on the regulations and the goodwill of the digital platforms.

What is Netflix's policy in such cases?

If you want to manage the Netflix account of a deceased loved one, rest assured, Netflix is one of the platforms that do not pose any particular difficulties. Indeed, the SVOD platform has set up a simple procedure open to the family as well as to the relatives of the deceased. 

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¹ Zdnet, Netflix 2023: more than ever leader, 2023

² ibid

³ CNIL, Digital death: can we request the deletion of a deceased person's information? 2020

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The first thing proposed by Netflix is the cancellation of the subscription. It can be done by following a few simple steps and is not a problem.

Regarding personal data, the company states that after 10 months, a cancelled account is deleted. You can also request an early deletion of the cancelled account.

In its privacy policy, however, Netflix states that it retains some personal data to fight fraud, keep their records and enforce their terms of use. This data is hashed, meaning that a fingerprint of the data is stored in a database, but not the data itself. This process involves: 

• Device ID; 
• The email address associated with the account;
• An encrypted and hashed version of your payment details.

The procedure for managing a deceased person's account on Netflix

If you have the deceased's account access codes, the procedure is different. It is simpler and faster.

If you have access to the Netflix account: 

• Log in to the deceased person's account with their username and password;
• Click on "Cancel subscription" on the Account page;

You can get more information about this procedure by visiting the dedicated page on the Netflix website.

If you do not have access to the Netflix account, you must contact Netflix after gathering the account holder information: 

• Email address or phone number associated with the Netflix account;
• Complete payment information used to pay for the subscription.

Why is it important to prepare your digital estate?

A Netflix account contains payment information, movie or TV viewing preferences. However, some online platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or TikTok contain messages, images or videos of the deceased and their loved ones. For this reason, it is essential to manage these accounts after a death.

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⁴ Netflix, Deleting your Netflix account, accessed February 2023

⁵ Netflix, Information Deletion and Retention Policy, accessed February 2023

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Indeed, an abandoned account can be used by hackers for identity theft. In addition, malicious individuals can use these different accounts to hold the image of the missing person. 

For all these reasons, it is very important to prepare one's estate during one's lifetime. Moreover, it facilitates the procedures for the relatives. As we have seen with regard to Netflix, the process is quite simple if you have in your possession the access codes legally transmitted by the deceased.

The method for transferring one's digital property and assets

Fortunately, there are online solutions that allow you to prepare the transfer of your digital assets. SOLAL TECH allows you to centralize, secure and transmit your digital assets.

By creating an account on the platform, you will be accompanied by the site team, but also by a notary partner SOLAL, mastering the issues related to digital identity.

With a SOLAL TECH account, you can: 

• List all of your digital assets and property (social network accounts, cryptocurrency wallets, bank accounts, access to your electronic devices, etc.) ; 
• Choose the recipients who will receive your digital assets when the time comes; 
• Select a guardian, a person you trust, whose job it is to ensure that your wishes are carried out scrupulously;
• Select a notary from among SOLAL's partners to accompany you, advise you and legally authenticate the procedure.

In addition, your information is stored in a perfectly secure manner at an approved host. The latter meets all legal requirements related to the protection of personal data. All this data remains confidential and no one, not even the SOLAL TECH team, has access to its data. 

Thus, the SOLAL TECH platform is a way to relieve your loved ones in the event of your death. They will only have to follow the procedure that you have decided on for your digital data. In addition, they will be legally entitled to access your various accounts following your death and leave them as they are, delete them or make them memorial accounts.

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If you have any questions and need support with these steps, please contact us .