I like the idea of an OS with a built-in dead switch, but non of the modern operating systems I use are storing the bulk of my data in the cloud. So, this dead switch will require my heir to have physical access to my disk, at least until cloud-based filesystems are much more common.

But the contents of my encrypted hard drive is a different question. The article suggests using a hidden volume with a separate password, and that's a use case I've never thought of. Although practically, it would be more convenient to use two separate partitions or an external hard drive, because then you can mount both at the same time and periodically synchronize data between them.

Email is a dumping ground for everything from signup confirmations to evidence, business dealings, and an entire person's life. Since none of us plan ahead for death, when we do die we leave a LOT of unfinished business or outstanding orders. Most of the people that we interact with, do business with will have no idea what happened to us. Their only way of finding out is to send an email and hope for a return.

The family might be able to use emails to find evidence of a homicide, or the last location of the person (if they went missing). Or the family can finish up any unfinished business the deceased had, answer and respond to people who were expecting a reply from the (now) deceased person, or complaints. Imagine dying in the middle of fulfilling a successful kickstarter campaign. Imagine all those angry people trying to figure out why you haven't responded in months. The only way your family would find out about your Kickstarter campaign is through your emails. And that's just one example.

Emotionally releasing all your info might bother you, but logically it makes a lot of sense. If you're worried about your family finding out that you had an affair or were secretly a hermaphrodite or cross-dresser or into some real kinky shit, why would it matter to you? You're dead. Gone from the earth forever, never to feel pain, joy, or embarrassment again.