Yahoo denies access to killed Marine's family

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 10:45 pm

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 · Post by **Suresh Gupta** » Wed Dec 22, 2004 11:09 pm

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 · Post by **weeder** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 4:15 am

Peg wrote: 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 · Post by **greydeadhead** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 4:34 am

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 · Post by **Hawke** » Thu Dec 23, 2004 11:55 am

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.

Bill Sikes · Post by **Bill Sikes** » Fri Dec 24, 2004 4:02 am

weeder wrote: 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.

Suresh Gupta · Post by **Suresh Gupta** » Sat Dec 25, 2004 6:00 am

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 · Post by **CARLA** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 8:11 pm

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..!!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 8:35 pm

CARLA...you make an excellent point about living wills and the fact email accounts must be specified by the testator. superb idea . and you should introduce it to the CA. House for legislation! so the rest of the country will follow suit. i am sorry for this man's family. truly. but last week i had a brush with death, a heart attack...and i would NOT want my sweetheart's letters to me or mine to him read by anyone else. when my parents passed away i found their WWll love letters and read them , and now i wish i had not...they were too personal and private and even though it was my parents and very loving, i should not have read them.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 8:55 pm

COPLADY,

Yes I think this will become an issue for many in their wills.. !!

For me it's real simple, you have a password for a reason so no one can read your mail. YAHOO has to uphold that option.

Actually I have added a codicil (did I spell it right), to my Living Will adressing this very issue..!!

I'm sure Hacker could crack any email..!! That's not the issue.. It is private, and should remain that way..!! The electronic medium is different than hand written letters. Our computers have many different kinds of mail we save, that is no ones business..

DON'T FEEL BAD ABOUT READING YOUR PARENTS LOVE LETTERS..!! I'M SURE THEY WOULD HAVE THROWN THEM OUT IF THEY DIDN'T WANT THEM READ.. OR HAD A PROVISION TO HAVE THEM DESTROYED AFTER THEIR DEATHS..!! SOMETIMES IT'S NECESSARY TO LOOK AT OUR LOVED ONES BELONGINGS...IN ORDER TO GET THINGS IN ORDER..!! COMPUTERS, FOR ME DON'T FALL INTO THAT CATAGORY :-4

Of course that's just one old ladies opinion..!!

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 9:04 pm

Carla...you're NOT an old lady sugar! you're a beautiful lady! :-4 love you and happy new year!

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Sun Dec 26, 2004 9:25 pm

I would hate to think that someone read his email and misunderstood it and will never know the real truth.

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 8:33 am

I would want to know any information.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Tue Dec 28, 2004 8:39 am

Have to say, i really would'nt like my parents or family looking through my mail & think that Yahoo are right in denying the family access.

LottomagicZ4941 · Post by **LottomagicZ4941** » Wed Dec 29, 2004 10:36 am

my wife know my yahoo ID.

I could care less if anyone reads my spam.

Lotto

http://www.flalottomagic.net/cgi-local/ ... ontact-344

MagicZ4941