Yahoo denies access to killed Marine's family

[Peg]

The family of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq was denied access to the soldier's Yahoo e-mail account due to the company's policies, raising questions of whether businesses should balance privacy with special requests. The whole story can be found at http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-5500057.html

What do you all think? Did yahoo make the right decision?
Personally, I think so. There may be things in there that are best buried with him.

[Suresh Gupta]

I think family should get an authorization from the Court. Yahoo is willing to share the info with next of kin as stated by its spokewoman - 'What all of us are looking for is a path that upholds individual privacy and also fully respects a family's request'.

[weeder]

Originally Posted by Peg

The family of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq was denied access to the soldier's Yahoo e-mail account due to the company's policies, raising questions of whether businesses should balance privacy with special requests. The whole story can be found at http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-5500057.html

What do you all think? Did yahoo make the right decision?
Personally, I think so. There may be things in there that are best buried with him.

I think that his mail sould end with him. Not only was it private, but it could reveal misunderstood information that could hurt others. Communications he wantwd shared, were shared I would think before he left this earth.

[greydeadhead]

I agree.. this account should die with him. The information could be harmful to his family.. and tarnish the image that they have of him.

[Hawke]

Once exceptions start being made, the system fails.
Your personal email is really of no consequence. His family, I'm sure, has other ways to remember him.

Originally Posted by greydeadhead

I agree.. this account should die with him. The information could be harmful to his family.. and tarnish the image that they have of him.

Very well said. I agree with you!

[Bill Sikes]

Originally Posted by weeder

I think that his mail sould end with him. Not only was it private, but it could reveal misunderstood information that could hurt others. Communications he wantwd shared, were shared I would think before he left this earth.

But there may be important sentiments or information included. Personally I would much rather my family read my e-mails or looked at stuff I keep here and there on computer, should I peg out. It's only ancilliary to stuff the marine's family already have anyway, such as letters, diaries, accounts etc.

[sarasara]

Originally Posted by Bill Sikes

But there may be important sentiments or information included. Personally I would much rather my family read my e-mails or looked at stuff I keep here and there on computer, should I peg out. It's only ancilliary to stuff the marine's family already have anyway, such as letters, diaries, accounts etc.

There was a similar case taken to the courts in the US recently where a mother listened into her daughters telephone calls because she though that she may be going with an undesirable boyfriend, The daughter won the case.

Given the circumstances of this unfortunate man I feel really sorry for him but in his grief I believe that he is crossing a line he should not.

What is private in life should remain private in death. It is a two-edged sword and what might work for the one case might lead to diseaster in another

[Suresh Gupta]

There are two sides of this issue.
There maqy be some messages if shared by others (even the family members) may cause embaressment to the departed soul.
And there may be some messages which might bring happiness to family members in this hour of grief.
I feel that Yahoo should give access to his father who can decide what is to be shared and what is to be deleted.

[CARLA]

I understand this young man parents pain.

But it was his private email address. Unless there is something written giving them permission to read his mail.. I would have to agree with YAHOO..!! the email address DIES WITH HIM..!!

Im sure that if he wanted someone reading them he would have left a list of his passwords somewhere.. !! I feel for the parents, but this is like going through someones personel belongings. I'm sure there really isn't that much they would want to see anyway..!!

Interesting thought, I'm sure we haven't heard the end of this.. I'm also sure Lawyers will jump all over this..... !! LIVING WILLS, WILL BE RE-WRITTEN.. ALL OVER THE WORLD.. TO INCLUDE HOW EMAIL ADDRESS WILL BE DEALT WITH AFTER SOMEONES DEATH..!!