Have you ever dealt with a death? None of those proof you are the executor. You get a specific document from the courts saying that, yes, this person is by law able to take possession of all of the estate, and distribute it as per the will.

The death certificate just says "this person died".

The will just says 'if I die, id like my possessions to be distributed this way"

A solicitor can write whatever they want. My solicitor wrote a letter I should get all of Job's online content, but they didn't listen to him either.

The only thing that matters is the document saying you are assigned to execute the will and handle all estate matters.

Apple is right here. Someone should be able to show a document saying that they are the executor of the estate. This is needed for many things like bank accounts and such. It is entirely reasonable that this also applies to cloud based content. Without it, if apple would unlock the data, and someone else shows up with a proof of being executor, apple could have a problem.

We just went through all of this after my wife's mother's death, and although it's a big hassle, it's just something that has to be done. Get proof you are the executor, then claim all possessions including cloud based data. This could include things like photos which may have emotional value, so of course data is part of what the executor has to deal with.

I just hope Linus, with his obvious anger management issues, doesn't end up like Reiser or McAfee.

Which is most of the population. Id say pretty much the whole US middle class and lower is financially ruined if they had a serious medical issue.