A recent study titled “Excitement, Superstition, and Great Insecurity – How Global Consumers Engage with the Digital World” reveals that 61% of consumers believe the identities of deceased individuals are particularly susceptible to identity theft. This concern stems from the fact that these accounts often lack someone to monitor them, leaving them vulnerable. The study also found that 35% of respondents are comfortable with the idea of using artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate someone’s online presence after their death, while a larger 38% express opposition. This highlights ongoing privacy and ethical concerns in the digital landscape.

In a broader context, the “Digital 2024 Global Overview Report” conducted by Kepios shows that 95% of internet users now engage with social media on a monthly basis, with 282 million new digital identities created between July 2023 and July 2024. As more people interact online and their digital footprints expand, the concerns over privacy, legacy, and the ethical use of digital identities become increasingly relevant.

Further emphasizing these concerns, a new study by Kaspersky reveals that 61% of consumers believe the identities of the deceased are particularly vulnerable to identity theft. Additionally, while 58% of respondents acknowledge the possibility of recreating a deceased person’s online presence using AI, opinions on this practice are divided, with 35% finding it acceptable and 38% disagreeing. This division underscores the unresolved issues of privacy and respect in the digital realm.

Moreover, 67% of people believe that seeing content related to deceased individuals can be distressing for those who knew them, yet 43% are confident that all digital traces of a person can be retrieved indefinitely. This confidence in the permanence of digital content raises important questions about how society manages and respects the digital legacies of the deceased. Recognizing the importance of managing digital legacies, 63% of respondents agree that individuals with an online presence should include instructions in their wills regarding the handling of their data and social media accounts.

Commenting on the findings, Anna Larkina, a web content analysis expert at Kaspersky, emphasized the need for proactive measures to protect digital identities. She noted that awareness of the risks associated with stolen identities is growing, urging individuals to enhance privacy and safeguard their digital presence. Larkina suggests that the issue of managing one’s digital footprint is often overlooked in daily online activities, but the survey results underscore a critical point: a significant number of respondents are aware of the potential for stolen identities to cause immense personal trouble for users or their loved ones.

To strengthen user privacy, Kaspersky recommends employing modern security solutions to monitor and limit personal data processing by apps. Keeping operating systems, browsers, and security software up to date is also crucial, as updates often include patches for security vulnerabilities that could potentially be exploited. Additionally, since not all online services are transparent about what data they collect and how they use it, following the instructions of online privacy checkers can help limit the amount of information shared online.