Could an Instagram account be listed as an asset on a will?

Despite the unpleasant confusion regarding the situation, lockdown has given many people the luxury of leisure. This has given them time to spend with their family, invest in a new or existing pastime, or perhaps even consider and build a new business idea.

People are using social media sites like Instagram more than ever to stay in touch with family and friends and to maintain their physical and mental health, but might these accounts even become your most valuable resource?

According to a recent column, popular accounts might be worth thousands of dollars since each follower is worth £0.0033.

It does raise the question of whether someone who has established a "digital" business online and built a career around brand sponsorship and collaborations should be given the same consideration as those who establish a "traditional" business, enabling them to leave their most valuable asset to those who are nearest to them?

Media reports claim that influencers might leave their profitable accounts to their friends and families through wills. However, Instagram has responded that this is against company policy and that a deceased person's account cannot be transferred or utilised for financial advantage. It is unknown how the transfer would be facilitated to carry out the legacy specified in the will because this procedure has not yet been tested.