The Uniform Law Commission has embraced the Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, which, to the extent adopted by states, would give grieving families immediate access to a deceased family member’s online accounts, unless the deceased family member specified otherwise in a will. Privacy advocates have expressed skepticism regarding the initiative.
In a break from past practice, the New York Police Department has begun to embrace social media, giving its precinct commanders “relatively free rein” in using Twitter. Top brass hopes to spur greater sharing of information and to engage the public in a dialogue regarding police business.