Social Media Account: The question of what happens to a person's digital identity after he or she dies has become more important than ever in today's times.
(What happens to your social media accounts after you die)
Social Media Account: The question of what happens to a person's digital identity after their death has become more important than ever. While no one has the answer to the afterlife, tech companies are working to find solutions in the digital world. According to recent information, Meta has obtained a patent that can keep a person's social media account active through AI after their absence or death.
AI can become your digital representative
According to the report, Meta received a patent in December 2025 that describes an artificial intelligence-based system. This patent, filed in 2023, describes how an advanced language model can mimic user behavior based on their past posts, comments, likes, and other activities.
The purpose of this system is to allow AI to continue a user's online presence if they are absent from the platform for a long time or if they pass away. This means that a virtual version of them can remain active in the digital world.
Why is this needed?
Company documents state that when a user suddenly disappears from the platform, it impacts friends and family. This impact can be even more profound if the person is not expected to return permanently.
In such situations, AI-based digital profiles can provide psychological support to those close to them. They can communicate with that person digitally, which can provide emotional relief.
The Growing Trend of Grief Tech
This idea isn't entirely new. A new sector is emerging in the tech industry called grief tech, which creates tools that digitally preserve the memories or behavior of a deceased loved one.
Companies like Replika and You, Only Virtual are already working in this direction. Furthermore, Microsoft patented a chatbot in 2021 that can mimic the behavior of a deceased person. These technologies aim to help people cope with grief.
The account will remain active even if you take a break.
This technology isn't limited to death. Even if a user takes a temporary break from social media, AI can keep their account active. This will maintain engagement with followers and minimize the impact on engagement.
Will this system really be implemented?
While this idea sounds like a fantasy from the future, Meta has clarified that it currently has no plans to enforce this patent. Tech companies often file patents on numerous concepts, many of which never become real products.
