In a landmark move, Instagram has introduced its legacy contact feature in Israel for the first time, allowing users to choose someone they trust to manage their account in the event of their death. This update comes as a response to a new Israeli law that legally recognizes social media accounts and digital platforms as part of a person’s estate.

Under this new system, users can assign a legacy contact who will be able to:

• Request memorialization of the account
• Request the removal of the account
• Download a copy of what’s publicly shared (subject to Instagram’s approval)

However, the legacy contact will not be able to read private messages or log in to the account, preserving personal privacy even after death.

This policy mirrors similar features already available on platforms like Facebook but until now, Instagram had not rolled this out globally. Israel becomes one of the first countries to receive this update because of its recent legal shift that treats digital identity and assets with the same weight as physical possessions.

The law was passed after several high-profile cases where families struggled to access or delete the social media accounts of their deceased loved ones. It aims to provide both emotional closure and digital responsibility in today’s tech-connected world.

This move is especially meaningful in a country where online platforms often serve as modern-day memory walls, especially for victims of terror attacks, IDF soldiers, and public figures.

👉 For more updates on tech and Jewish life, follow Zushi’s List.

Read the full article from the original source:
Haaretz – Meta Introduces Instagram Legacy Contact Feature in Israel Following New Digital Inheritance Law

Source: Haaretz, July 2025