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.
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California consumers also may request information about our disclosures of certain categories of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes.
If you are a California resident and have an established business relationship with us, you can request a notice disclosing the categories of personal information we have shared with third parties, for the third parties' direct marketing purposes...
We do not monitor, recognize, or honor any opt-out or do not track mechanisms, including general web browser "Do Not Track" settings and/or signals or other mechanisms that provide consumers the ability to exercise choice...
"California Civil Code Section 1798.83...permits users who are California residents to request and obtain from us a list of what Personal Information (if any) we disclosed to third parties for their direct marketing purposes in the preceding calendar year...Excerpt from Ancestry's Privacy Statement
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The clause states: “California Civil Code Section 1798.83...permits users who are California residents to request and obtain from us a list of what Personal Information (if any) we disclosed to third parties for their direct marketing purposes in the preceding calendar year...”
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 267 platforms. See the full comparison.
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