Book Review From Rick’s Library: The Afterlife of Data

⏱️ 8 min read     

What happens to your digital life after you die? Social media giants once planned to delete inactive accounts of the deceased until a massive outcry stopped them. How does society unravel the ethical dilemmas with the afterlife of data? 

Welcome to That's Life, I Swear. This podcast is about life's happenings in this world. Happenings that conjure up such words as intriguing, frightening, life-changing, inspiring, and more. I'm Rick Barron, your host. 

That said, here's the rest of this story

Abstract of the book 

So, what happens to your digital information when you die? More important, why you should care. "The Afterlife of Data" by Carl Öhman covers this central question.

The book discusses Öhman's examination of how our digital data and online footprints create a "afterlife" that persists beyond physical deaths. 

So, here’s the question again. What happens to our social media accounts after we die? The short answer is nothing.

Carl’s book goes into the fate of an individual's social media presence after their demise raises profound questions. Unless proactive measures are taken to deactivate accounts, remove posts, or delete sites, these digital footprints remain intact, undisturbed by the user's passing.

This phenomenon carries staggering statistical implications, according to researchers at the Oxford Internet Institute. Their projections suggest that by the year 2100, Facebook could harbor a staggering 4.9 billion deceased users or in this case "digital corpses." 

This grim forecast indicates that the social media platform, and others as well, will have more deceased members than living ones by the year 2070. The ramifications of this scenario are far-reaching, extending beyond the personal realm of the deceased's families, but into the realms of legal, ethical, social, and cultural paradigms, necessitating a reevaluation of established norms and practices.

The shutting down of digital accounts raises ethical questions about memorialization, ownership, and preservation of this data after someone dies. Should it be treated with the same respect as physical remains?

Carl calls out in the book that data degrades over time without active maintenance, yet companies have little incentive to preserve accounts of the deceased indefinitely. Some are exploring using AI to create "digital ghosts" that simulate interacting with the deceased based on their data trail. Little creepy but intriguing. 

Digital Ghosts. Courtesy of WIRED Magazine

The decision to purge inactive accounts sparked outrage, a lesson Twitter learned in 2019 when it announced plans to remove profiles dormant for over six months. Grieving loved ones protested, fearing the loss of precious digital footprints left by the deceased. Their voices resonated, and the company backed down. However, the issue resurfaced in 2023 when Elon Musk, Twitter's new owner, declared, "We're purging accounts that have had no activity at all for several years." If a social media giant like Twitter struggles to preserve its own recent history, what fate awaits our personal virtual legacies?

The rise of all these digital remnants reverses modernity's push to make death less visible (e.g. through cremation). Beyond personal data, the preservation of digital historical records, evidence of human rights abuses, etc. is also an issue as data gets deleted over time.

Carl argues a plurality of institutions, not just corporations or a global body, should have the rights to audit and control data of the dead. He dubs this the "post-mortal condition" or views modern humans as "archeopolitans" - citizens of the surrounding digital archive. 

About the author 

Book Author: Carl Ohman. Courtesy of ResearchGate

Carl Öhman, an esteemed scholar in digital ethics and political science, has captured widespread recognition for his groundbreaking research, delving into the intricate intersections of artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and the enduring legacy of digital footprints. His academic journey culminated in acquiring a doctoral degree from the prestigious University of Oxford in September 2020.

Öhman's scholarly endeavors have transcended the confines of academia, capturing the attention of prominent media outlets such as The New York Times, BBC, and TIME Magazine, which have extensively covered his insightful findings. In a testament to his remarkable contributions to the arts and humanities, Scopus/Elsevier gave him the esteemed accolade of being the UK's #1 early career researcher in 2020.

Carl holds the position of associate senior lecturer at the Department of Government at Oxford, where he continues to push the boundaries of knowledge. His research portfolio encompasses diverse topics, ranging from the ethical implications of artificial intelligence to the intricate dynamics of digital remains and their preservation.

Öhman's academic pursuits have garnered substantial support, as evidenced by his role as the principal investigator for two major research projects. The first, a five-year initiative funded by WASP-HS, delves into the intricate interplay between artificial intelligence and political communication. Concurrently, he oversees a three-year project dedicated to exploring the resilience of democratic systems in the face of online disinformation.

Öhman's scholarly prowess extends beyond his research endeavors, as he mentors and guides three doctoral students, nurturing the next generation of scholars and contributing to the perpetuation of academic excellence. 

What drew my interest in reading this book? 

The considerable threat of personal data, left after someone has passed away, is looming larger by the day. This problem has the potential of humanity becoming utterly entangled in the metaphorical rabbit hole. A sequence of personal and societal choices would need to be made in the years ahead to circumvent this risk. 

The rapid evolution of technology poses a risk of adaptation occurring without conscious awareness of its profound impact on our collective identity as a society, civilization, and, ultimately, as a species. 

We must approach our decisions over the next few years with heightened intentionality. Progress alone is insufficient; we must strive for inclusive, equitable, sustainable, and ethically sound, that move us to an advancement worthy of humanity's finest virtues. 

This encompasses a broad spectrum, from legislation and regulations to daily engaging with technology, the values we impart to future generations, and businesses' choices today. 

What can we learn from this story? What's the take away?

Due to its broad scope and readability, this book would be an excellent resource for the high school and college classroom. It offers a wealth of contemporary examples that can spark discussions and challenge established perceptions about digital data, making it valuable for undergraduate and graduate students across various fields. Even social media companies should explore this book as they're the prime digital information source.

Moreover, Carl's research can shape the perspectives of today's technology and policy leaders and future software developers, social media leaders, and policymakers—individuals who will inevitably navigate a world intertwined with digital remnants. 

Well, there you go my friends; That's life, I swear.

For further information regarding the material covered in this episode, I invite you to visit my website which you can find on Apple Podcasts/iTunes, for show notes calling out key pieces of content mentioned and the episode transcript.

As always, I thank you for listening and your interest.

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