When relationships end, your emotions aren’t the only thing at risk—your accounts might be too.

Breakups have always been challenging, but in the digital age, they come with an added layer of complexity: managing the fallout of shared devices, passwords, and online accounts.

We surveyed 1,000 men and women in the US who had gone through a breakup in the last 10 years to uncover how people handle digital security before, during, and after a split. The results were fascinating—and in some cases, alarming.

Key Takeaways From The Survey

Here’s a summary of the most interesting findings and key statistics:

• 42% had their accounts accessed by their ex after a breakup.
• 24% admit they attempted to access their ex’s accounts after a breakup.
• 58% who shared passwords or devices with their ex later regretted it.
• 68% say they would never share passwords in a new relationship.
• 45% didn’t check if they were still sharing their location after a breakup.
• 56% experienced negative emotional or mental health impacts due to digital privacy concerns after a breakup.
• Parents are 25% more likely to consider their digital security post-breakup

The New Age of Breakups

Think breakups are all about heartache and tissues? Think again. In today’s world, breakups often leave behind a digital trail of shared passwords, devices, and accounts that can linger for months or even years.

This survey sheds light on how people are (or aren’t) handling the digital aftermath of their relationships and reveals common mistakes that could leave them vulnerable.

Digital Breakup Survey Results

42% of people had their accounts accessed by their ex after a breakup

Over half (58%) of respondents suspect their ex accessed their accounts or devices without permission after the breakup.

More alarmingly, 42% of respondents confirmed their ex-partner had successfully gained unauthorized access.

Stats:

• 58% suspected unauthorized access to their accounts or devices after a breakup.
• 73% of these confirmed it happened. That means a worrying 42% of everyone surveyed had their accounts or devices accessed without their permission after a breakup.
• Data most commonly spied on:
  • Social media accounts (27%)
  • Email account (20%)
  • Location (18%)

What This Means:

If you suspect your ex might still have access to your accounts, you’re probably right. Changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication are essential steps to take immediately.

24% openly admit they attempted to access their ex’s accounts after a breakup

Perhaps most shocking, nearly a quarter of respondents admitted to trying to access their ex’s accounts post-breakup, and a staggering majority succeeded.

Stats:

• 24% attempted access.
• Men succeeded 78% of the time; women succeeded 72%.

What This Means:

Breakups can bring out unhealthy behaviors, and hacking attempts are surprisingly common. This underscores the importance of securing your accounts—before it’s too late.

58% of people who shared passwords or devices later regretted it

It’s not uncommon for couples to share passwords or devices, but it often leads to regret. In fact, our survey found that over half of respondents had shared passwords or devices with their ex, and a significant portion wished they hadn’t.

Stats:

• 42% shared passwords.
• 29% shared devices like phones or tablets.
• 58% of those who shared passwords or devices later regretted it.
• 68% say they would never share passwords in a new relationship.

What This Means:

What starts as a gesture of trust can quickly become a source of regret. Sharing passwords and devices may feel natural during a relationship, but after a breakup, it can leave you vulnerable to unauthorized access.

45% of people don’t check if they are still sharing their location after a breakup

Location-sharing apps like Find My, Google Maps, and Life360 can be invaluable during a relationship, but they’re often overlooked after a breakup.

What many people don’t realize is that these apps can continue to share their location with an ex—often going unnoticed for months.

Stats:

• 45% of respondents didn’t check whether they were still sharing their location with their ex.
• 28% of people suspect their ex-partner tracked their location after a breakup. Most concerningly, 53% of those were able to confirm it.
• Of those who said they knew how to fully secure their devices after a breakup, 38% overlooked checking if their location was being shared.

What This Means:

Failing to disable location sharing leaves you exposed to potential tracking by an ex—often without realizing it. Even people who feel confident managing their own security frequently miss this critical step, underscoring the need to double-check permissions after a breakup.

56% experienced mental health issues from digital privacy worries

Breakups are hard enough on an emotional level, but for many, the stress doesn’t stop there. Digital privacy concerns add a new layer of anxiety, and for over half of respondents, the impact goes beyond inconvenience—it affects their mental well-being.

Stats:

• 56% of respondents experienced negative emotional or mental health impacts due to digital privacy concerns after a breakup.
• 26% reported significant mental health impacts.
• 30% experienced minor but noticeable impacts on their mental well-being.

What This Means:

The mental toll of a breakup extends far beyond the emotional loss. Concerns about who has access to personal accounts, devices, and location data can lead to stress, anxiety, and feelings of vulnerability.

Parents are 25% more likely to consider their digital security post-breakup

Parents stood out as significantly more likely to take steps to secure their devices and accounts after a breakup.

Stats:

• 71% of parents secured their devices and accounts post-breakup.
• Only 57% of non-parents did the same.

What This Means:

The added responsibility of protecting family-related data might make parents more vigilant. However, everyone—parent or not—should adopt the same level of caution to safeguard their personal information.

The Digital Breakup Assistant: Your Post-Breakup Ally

Breakups are messy—emotionally, logistically, and, as our survey shows, digitally. The findings highlight a widespread issue: shared accounts, location tracking, and overlooked security settings leave people vulnerable long after their relationships end.

With 42% of respondents confirming unauthorized access by an ex, and 45% failing to check critical settings like location sharing, it’s clear that securing your digital life after a breakup is no longer optional.

That’s why we created the Digital Breakup Assistant, a completely free tool designed to help individuals navigate these challenges. The findings of this survey only underscore its importance in today’s digital-first world.

How it works

The Digital Breakup Assistant provides instant, personalized guidance for anyone navigating the aftermath of a relationship. With just a few simple questions, the tool assesses your digital risks and offers tailored advice to help secure your accounts, devices, and apps.

Whether you’ve shared passwords, devices, or subscriptions, the assistant provides clear steps to take back control of your digital life.

Key areas covered by the tool include:

• Changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.
• Reviewing account activity to detect unauthorized access.
• Disabling location-sharing settings across apps and devices.
• Revoking permissions for shared accounts and subscriptions.
• Securing IoT devices like smart speakers and cameras.

Final Thoughts

Breakups don’t just end relationships — they expose digital vulnerabilities. From shared passwords to overlooked location-sharing settings, it’s clear that digital security is often forgotten in the aftermath of a split. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

The good news? People are learning. 68% now say they won’t share passwords in future relationships, reflecting a shift toward stronger digital boundaries.

Breakups are inevitable, but being unprepared isn’t. Take action early, secure your accounts, and ensure your online life is yours — and yours alone.