Being an heir does not automatically give you access to a deceased person’s phone, email, or cloud account. First clarify whether you need to preserve evidence, close a service, request records, or access a digital asset; each may involve different documents and conditions.
What personal-data law covers
Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562 (2019) defines personal data in a way that specifically excludes data about a deceased person. However, a deceased person’s phone and accounts may contain information about people who are still living, such as messages, photos, and contact details. Do not publish or pass on that information without considering the rights and laws that may apply.
Safer first steps
- List devices, accounts, payment services, and information connected to property. Do not reset a device or delete original data at this stage.
- Prepare the death certificate, evidence of your relationship, and any court order appointing an estate administrator.
- Contact each provider through its official support channel to ask how to preserve data, close an account, or submit a request. Record the documents it requires.
- Limit access and keep a record of any transfer, especially where messages or photos include other people’s information.
- If there is a dispute or information may matter to a case, consult a lawyer before unlocking, copying, or publishing it.
The PDPA does not replace every provider’s account terms or every rule for estate administration. Providers may have their own procedures, so confirm the service requirements and who has authority to act for the estate.
Official reference
Royal Gazette: Personal Data Protection Act B.E. 2562, Section 6
The linked video discusses general financial planning, not access to a deceased person’s devices or accounts. It is not legal support for the steps above.