GEDMatch site now requires opt-in for law enforcement use

This is quite a biggie that I missed earlier in the week. GEDMatch (https://www.gedmatch.com), which offers a facility to match your DNA results with those of potential cousins, has changed its terms and conditions to protect the right of privacy to a user's data, by requiring users to give consent for law enforcement agencies to use their results to help solve crimes - something for which there has been a lot of criticism in recent months with the big DNA platforms. You'll find more on the story at Judy G. Russell's blog at https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2019/05/19/gedmatch-reverses-course/.

I have just signed in to my account, and have been presented with a page noting the revised T&Cs, which I must accept as having been read to continue to gain access (I can accept the terms, reject them, or have a think about it, with no access granted until I do accept). The major change involves the new four categories of data now available on the site, described as follows:

There are 4 classes of DNA data on this Site: 'Private', 'Research', 'Public + opt-in' and 'Public + opt-out'. You may be asked to select which category you want to be in when you upload your DNA data. If you ever want to change the category, use the pencil icon link next to the kit number on your home page.

'Private' DNA data is not available for comparisons with other people. It may be usable in some utilities that do not depend on comparisons with other DNA.

'Public + opt-in' DNA data is available for comparison to any Raw Data in the GEDmatch database using the various tools provided for that purpose.

'Public + opt-out' DNA data is available for comparison to any Raw Data in the GEDmatch database, except DNA kits identified as being uploaded for Law Enforcement purposes.

Comparison results, including your kit number, name (or alias), and email will be displayed for 'Public' kits that share DNA with the kit being used to make the comparison, except that kits identified as being uploaded for Law Enforcement purposes will only be matched with kits that have 'opted-in'..

'Research' DNA data is available for one-to-one comparison to other Public or Research DNA. It is not shown in other people's 'one-to-many' results lists. The Raw Data that you uploaded is not made available.

I have accepted the terms, and am now in 'opt-out' mode by default until I decide otherwise. As Judy notes in her article, "The new system fully conforms to all legal definitions of informed consent".

I noticed this morning a tweet from Debbie Kennett, stating "In the first 48 hours since everyone in GEDmatch was opted out just 10,000 people people opted back in", linking to an article at https://www.forensicmag.com/news/2019/05/forensic-genealogy-where-does-cold-case-breakthrough-technique-go-after-gedmatch-announcement.

(With thanks to Judy G. Russell and @DebbieKennett)

Chris

Pre-order Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet (2nd ed) for just £11.99 at https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-Family-History-on-the-Internet-Paperback/p/16483. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Getting to grips with DNA Painter

I've spent a bit of time this week looking further into the use of autosomal DNA for genealogical research, with some interesting results. I tested with AncestryDNA (https://www.ancestry.co.uk/dna) some time ago, but finally decided to upload my test results into both MyHeritage (https://www.myheritage.com/dna/) and FamilyTreeDNA (www.familytreedna.com). On the back of all that I've certainly had a productive experience! Not only have I confirmed a long held theory concerning the sister of my father's grandmother, it would also seem that I am related to none other than well known Australian genealogist Shauna Hicks, which has just about knocked us both for six! (We're now trying to identify the exact connection!).

But the key learning point this week has been over chromosome browsers - offered by both MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA, but not Ancestry. On its site, Ancestry hopes to tell you if you are related to somebody when you have a matching segment of DNA with that person, and if they upload a tree for you to look for a common ancestor. Unfortunately, unlike the other two named DNA companies, it doesn't actually tell you on which chromosomes such matches can be found. Its reasons for doing so seem to include privacy concerns and its belief that 'nobody will use it'. However, I've actually found it fascinating to be able to determine which parts of shared DNA fit into which chromosomes, which to me seems a handy thing to be able to use to try to predict where other folk may be related to you when they don't have an accompanying family tree.

Using results from MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA and GEDmatch (www.gedmatch.com), I've managed to identify a few cousins with common ancestors, who I know are confirmed. Using a free tool called DNA Painter (www.dnapainter.com), as recommended by genealogist Rosemary Morgan, I have been trying to build up my ancestral profile, and in so doing have learned a hell of a lot more about how autosomal DNA is passed on, and things to look out for when trying to interpret results. I'm not just passively waiting to be told when I have a match.

I've read and heard many reasons why Ancestry won't add a chromosome browser - but I can't help feeling now that as a DNA site, it seems somewhat naked without one...

Chris 

For my genealogy guide books, visit http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-books.html, whilst details of my research service are at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. Further content is also published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES.