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Digital Devices (Access for Next of Kin)
18 January 2022
Lead MP
Ian Paisley Jnr
Debate Type
General Debate
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Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
Ian Paisley Jnr raised concerns about digital devices (access for next of kin) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Moves a Bill to grant the right of access to the digital devices of a dead or incapacitated person to their next of kin, clarifying that there is no legislative definition of 'digital asset' in the UK and no legislation governing personal representatives’ access. He notes the support from the Government and mentions the importance of resetting the relationship between service providers and end users as per Baroness Beeban Kidron’s report. Paisley highlights the £25 billion worth of assets held online in password-protected cloud storage solutions, stressing that digital content is not owned by individuals and can be lost if proper provisions are not made.
Ian Paisley Jnr
DUP
North Antrim
Moves a Bill to grant next of kin the right to access deceased or incapacitated persons’ digital devices, codifying contents as possessions and avoiding legal action. He points out the challenges families face in accessing such assets due to cyber-security measures and tech companies' policies.
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