The State Data Inspectorate of Latvia (DVI) has published clarifications on the management of social media accounts belonging to deceased persons.

The authority recalls that the GDPR does not apply to the data of deceased persons, in accordance with recital 27 of the regulation. Consequently, the assessment of the processing of such data and requests for deletion do not fall within its competence. To obtain the deletion of a profile, relatives must contact the relevant platforms directly, which have their own procedures. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok offer specific procedures to request the deletion or the establishment of a memorial status for the account of a deceased person. Applicants generally need to provide the username or a link to the profile and describe their request. Platforms may require documents proving the death and the kinship or the right to act of the applicant.