Effective November 1, 2010, Oklahoma became the first state to give executors control over a deceased person's email, Facebook, and other social networking accounts. (58 Okla. Stat. § 269.) The executor of the estate can continue or terminate the accounts.

By deeming the accounts the property of the deceased person, the law contradicts many use agreements that people sign when they open email or other accounts, and it's yet to be seen how online companies will respond. The bill's sponsor said the law was an attempt to get people thinking seriously about what they might leave behind online, including treasured photographs and personal material.