Bequeathing your Facebook: Social media site's new rules about dead users

NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook is giving more options to decide what happens to users' accounts after they die.

The world's biggest online social network said Thursday it will now let users pick someone who can manage their account after they pass away. Previously, the accounts were "memorialized" after death, or locked so that no one could log in.

Beginning in the U.S., Facebook says users can choose a "legacy contact" to post on their page after they die, respond to new friend requests and update their profile picture and cover photo. Users can also have their accounts deleted instead.

Facebook also ensures that the account of a user who died doesn't show up as a "suggested friend" or in other ways that could upset the person's loved ones.