PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEGAL REGULATION OF DIGITAL INHERITANCE IN UZBEKISTAN

Abstract:

The advent of digital technologies has significantly transformed the composition of personal estates, introducing new forms of assets that exist solely in digital format. These include cryptocurrencies, online banking accounts, cloud storage files, social media profiles, digital art (NFTs), and other intangible digital properties. In Uzbekistan, the rapid digitization of society has not been matched by corresponding developments in succession law. Currently, the Civil Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan does not provide explicit provisions for the management and inheritance of digital assets. This paper explores the legal, ethical, and technological dimensions of digital inheritance, critically examines existing legal frameworks in Uzbekistan, and compares them with international best practices. It identifies regulatory gaps, conflict-of-law challenges, and privacy dilemmas, and proposes comprehensive reform strategies to develop a robust digital inheritance regime in Uzbekistan. The study emphasizes the need for legislative action, judicial interpretation, international cooperation, and digital literacy to ensure that citizens' digital legacies are legally protected and effectively transferred.