Facebook will no longer alter user's security settings after the account is memorialized and will also accept requests for Look Back videos for memorialized accounts to help grieving family and friends.
Facebook is finding different ways to memorialize deceased users' accounts more effectively. The latest attempt comes partly after the emotional request from a Missouri resident, John Berlin who reached out to Facebook requesting for his son's Look Back video during the social network's tenth anniversary. While the video went viral and touched hearts of many, Facebook decided to comply with Berlin's request and made the first Look Back video for memorialized account.
Facebook announced a few modifications to its existing policies with deceased user's accounts. When a Facebook user's account is memorialized on mourner's request, the account would limit itself to friends only. The new policy in effect will not alter user's privacy settings, even after their passing. This means posts, photos and videos made public and shared with a specific group will remain the same way.
"Starting today, we will maintain the visibility of a person's content as-is," Facebook's community operations team said in a company's blog post, Friday. "This will allow people to see memorialized profiles in a manner consistent with the deceased person's expectations of privacy. We are respecting the choices a person made in life while giving their extended community of family and friends ongoing visibility to the same content they could always see."
Facebook is also making its Look Back videos available for deceased members. After complying with Berlin's request to make a Look Back video of his deceased son, Facebook said that several other similar requests were made. Other members can request for a Look Back video of their loved ones by filling out a request form.
Facebook also promised to make further improvements on various other subjects, such as the sensitive subject of bereavement . The company will find various ways to help people decide how they want to be remembered. These changes are likely to take place in the upcoming months.
