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 industry standard technical and organizational measures to secure the information we store.
You are also responsible for taking reasonable steps to protect your personal information against unauthorized disclosure or misuse.
We will endeavor to ensure that, by default, we only collect and process your Data needed to provide you access to the Platform and our Services...This means that we will neither publish nor share your Data by default.
"We use secure server software to encrypt Personal Information (including Genetic Information), and we only partner with security companies that meet and commit to our security standards.Excerpt from Ancestry's Privacy Statement
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The clause states: “We use secure server software to encrypt Personal Information (including Genetic Information), and we only partner with security companies that meet and commit to our security standards.”
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