Yesterday, a bug on Facebook mistakenly declared 2 million users, including its owner, Mark Zuckerberg dead on the platform by “memorializing” their accounts/profiles with a message on their profiles that read – “We hope people who love (profile name) will find comfort in the things others share to remember and celebrate (his/her) life.”
Usually, these memorialized message are posted on accounts of people who have been reported dead and have a family member report the news to their friends and continue running the account. Part of the process is showing proof of death.
The mistaken memorial notices sent to users contained links to forms that can be filled and submitted to have people’s accounts modified into online memorials after they die.
The social network team has admitted to a glitch and apologised to its users.
If you need help with a deceased’s account, click here.