Safeguarding posthumous digital data: understanding Australians’ views

This sociological project aims to understand Australians’ views on how posthumous digital data is or should be managed after people die or become incapacitated. The research expects to generate new knowledge of people’s views regarding the fate of personal data providing deep understanding of the factors that shape people’s views on posthumous digital data. In doing so, the project will develop a new concept of technological citizenship.

Professor Clare Wilkinson is a Partner Investigator on this project which is being led by Professor Alan Petersen and Dr Claire Tanner at Monash University, Australia.

The project is:

• investigating if Australians are concerned about the fate of their posthumous digital data, including how it might be used in the future. If so, what do they believe will happen to it? Are they concerned about particular kinds of data? Do they take steps to preserve, curate, erase, or donate their own data? 
• determining how individuals might best be assisted in planning for the management of their own digital data after they die or become permanently incapacitated.
• uncovering what measures organisations and companies that collect, store, share, or use digital data (e.g. government departments, tech companies, banks) currently undertake to ensure that consumers’ wishes regarding their posthumous data are fulfilled and the risks minimised. 
• developing policies and practical strategies for the national benefit. 

This project is funded by the Australian Research Council Discovery Scheme (DP250101283). For further information, please visit the project website.

Project website