This analysis describes what Ancestry's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
The updated policy introduces new data collection and processing practices. Ancestry now explicitly discloses that it collects information from interactions with AI-powered support assistants, in addition to human communications. The policy adds a new photo face-grouping feature that creates abstract numerical representations of images to organize your photo gallery, available with your express consent; Ancestry states it does not retain these representations. The policy also adds SMS messaging as a communication channel, available if you expressly opt in. You can decline the face-grouping feature and SMS messaging by not providing express consent.
View change record →How other platforms handle this
We use and combine the information you provide us and information about you that we collect automatically and receive from other sources... and combine it with information about the behavior of other users to make sure that your use of the Service is customized to your needs.
We use data for analysis, research and product development, including training machine learning models. This helps us make our services more convenient and easy to use, enhance the safety and security...
We may also aggregate and/or de-identify your Data and may use such aggregate or de-identified information for any other purposes to the extent permitted under applicable law and not attempt to re-identify the information, unless required by law.
"Combining Your Content with data in Ancestry's databases to provide insights to help users build their family trees.Excerpt from Ancestry's Privacy Statement
We read the privacy policies and terms of service of 38 AI platforms. Here is what they say about training, retention, arbitration, and liability.
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The clause states: “Combining Your Content with data in Ancestry's databases to provide insights to help users build their family trees.”
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 273 platforms. See the full comparison.
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