More on FamilyTreeDNA and privacy issues

Some more posts of interest on the recent development with FamilyTreeDNA is allowing law enforcement agencies access to its database (see https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2019/02/familytreedna-is-now-working-with-fbi.html).

Philip Grass has written an interesting blog post about the situation at https://learnalittleeveryday.wordpress.com/2019/02/08/opinion-familytreedna-must-decide-if-they-are-for-genealogists-or-law-enforcement-agencies/.

Elsewhere, the legal genealogist Judy G. Russell and DNA expert Debbie Kennett give their thoughts on the situation in a podcast at https://blog.insito.me/the-insight-show-notes-season-2-episode-13-is-the-fbi-watching-your-dna-571c92f9fc3.

And some reassurances form other DNA firms about privacy can be read at https://www.genomeweb.com/applied-markets/genetic-genealogy-firms-reassure-clients-about-data-privacy-after-ftdna-divulges-fbi?utm_source=addthis_shares#.XGACWrjgqUl.

Chris

My next Scottish Research Online course starts March 11th 2019 - see www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Do FamilyTreeDNA's new terms of service breach GDPR?

Following the news that FamilyTreeDNA (www.familytreedna.com) has suddenly changed its terms of service, and announced that it is allowing the FBI access to its database for law enforcement purposes (see https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/2019/02/familytreedna-is-now-working-with-fbi.html), the Legal Genealogist, Judy G. Russell, has posted a fairly damning critique of the news at https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2019/02/01/opening-the-dna-floodgates/.

Noting that she has long been a fan of FamilyTreeDNA, Judy states that the development "may have brought that enthusiasm to a screeching halt". She adds that "At one time here in America, we thought that privacy existed whether or not our homes, papers or effects might contain evidence the police might be interested in — and whether or not we might have crime suspects in our family trees … or in our DNA match lists. Apparently, not any more."

In fact, there is quite a range of opinions in the comments following Judy's post, some for the development, some against, but one point of interest that has been raised is whether the new terms and conditions from FamilyTreeDNA in fact breach the new European wide GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) regulations, designed to give EU citizens more control over the use of their personal data.

Judy states "My own personal view is that changing these TOS in this fashion would not accord with the GDPR. It remains to be see what, if anything, the EU regulators will conclude."

GDPR was designed to strengthen the right to privacy. This is definitely one to watch.

Chris

My next Scottish Research Online course starts March 11th 2019 - see www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=102. Details of my genealogical research service are available at www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk. For my Scottish and Irish themed books, visit https://britishgenes.blogspot.com/p/my-books.html. Further news published daily on The GENES Blog Facebook page, and on Twitter @genesblog.

Ancestry has updated its terms and privacy statements

Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) has updated its terms and conditions, and privacy policy.

It has combined the Terms and Conditions for Ancestry.co.uk, AncestryDNA, and other Ancestry services into one document, and done similar for its Privacy Statement.

The new details are outlined at https://www.ancestry.co.uk/cs/privacyphilosophy

Chris

Needing a Christmas present for a family history obsessed love one (or for yourself)?! 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.

Ancestry enables privacy setting for DNA results

Ancestry (www.ancestry.co.uk) has enabled a new option to make a person's DNA results private or public. Here's the announcement:

One of the powerful benefits of using AncestryDNA is discovering DNA Matches, potential relatives who share DNA with you. Thanks to more than 6 million people providing a little saliva, we are helping customers around the world discover new relatives and reunite with family every day. As more people take the AncestryDNA test, there are new possibilities for a discovery all the time.

We understand the power of discovery for our customers, and look for ways to improve our services to make it easier to find new connections and explore what they may mean for your family history. We also understand the critical importance of privacy and enabling our customers’ control over their own data, which is why we strive to enhance user control in our services. Today, in that spirit of continually providing customers greater control and choice, we are introducing the ability to choose of whether or not to view and be viewed by their DNA matches.

Customers can now decide if they want to have access to the list of people they may be related to and be shown as a potential family member for other customers with whom they share DNA. While connecting family is one of the main benefits of our service, we also recognize that not everyone is open to discovering their extended family.

For existing customers, if you want to continue to see and be seen by your DNA matches, you don’t need to do anything. You still have access to your DNA Match list and you will still show up as a potential match to others and can change your preference on your DNA Settings page. If you change the setting to “no” you will no longer have access to your DNA Matches and no longer be shown as a DNA Match for others. You can change your mind at any time by going to the DNA Settings page.

We have heard from many of our customers that they quickly find one of the best ongoing benefits of our service is the opportunity to discover new family connections and seeing how connected you are to others around the world. We will continue to invest in this capability and emphasize it as a reason to use our service. As the largest consumer DNA database, by far – close to three times the size of the next largest – we want to always provide the best opportunity to find new potential family members.

COMMENT: It is completely right that users have a say on how their results can be viewed. However, it is worth pointing out that if a user does not wish to share their DNA results, there is very little point in doing such a test in the first place. The whole point of DNA testing from a family history point of view is to use it as a tool to help establish connections. Without this, you are simply left with an ethnicity profile.

(With thanks to Dick Eastman via https://blog.eogn.com/2017/11/03/ancestry-adds-options-to-share-or-to-not-share-dna-information/ - Ancestry's original announcement is at https://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2017/11/02/continued-commitment-to-customer-privacy-and-control/, with comments below)  

Chris

My next 5 week long Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the OPRs course commences Nov 6th 2017 - details at https://www.pharostutors.com/details.php?coursenumber=302. 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.

Google launches online data removal request form for Europe

Google has created an online form for people in Europe to request that personal data be removed from search requests.

An interesting point is made by BBC correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones - "Some have pointed out that information won't be removed from google.com, just your local version of the search engine, while others question the sheer practicality." So something that may be removed from Google.co.uk may still be accessible at Google.com - the US has a First Amendment guaranteeing free speech, which would apparently make an equivalent scheme in the US - where Google.com serves - impossible.

The full story is at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27631001

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians, whilst my new book British and Irish Newspapers is also now out. And FindmyPast - please reinstate the original Scottish census citations on your new site.

'Right to be forgotten' upheld by EU against Google

A ruling by the European Union Court of Justice has stated that Google must amend its online search provisions to allow for a 'right to be forgotten', a law passed in 2012 - though the UK is currently seeking an opt out on the law. The ruling comes after a Spanish man complained that mention of an auction mentioning his repossessed home breached his privacy. The full story is at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27388289

Definitely one to watch out for, as this seems to have the potential to impact on genealogical research at some point in the future.

Chris

Now available for UK research is the new second edition of the best selling Tracing Your Family History on the Internet: A Guide for Family Historians. And for those wishing to take Scottish ancestral research a bit further, my next Pharos course, Scotland 1750-1850: Beyond the Old Parish Records, commences May 14th 2014.

SSDI restrictions now implemented in US law

For those tracing ancestry in the United States, a major change has just been implemented into US Federal Law concerning the Social Security Death Index (SSDI), a useful genealogical tool widely used in America. It will now no longer be possible to order a SS-5 form for an individual to look up full details for their entry within three years of their death, whilst no new deaths will be recorded on the SSDI from 26 MAR 2014. The existing online platforms currently hosting the index will continue to do so.

The Legal Genealogist, Judy G. Russell, who has been reporting on these forthcoming changes for some time now, has the full story at www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2013/12/30/ssdi-access-now-limited/.

Chris

My latest book, Discover Scottish Civil Registration Records, is now available from http://www.gould.com.au (print) and http://www.gen-ebooks.com/unlock-the-past.html (ebook), whilst Tracing Your Irish Family History on the Internet is available at http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tracing-Your-Irish-History-on-the-Internet/p/3889/.

Privacy - winds of change?

In this month's Your Family History magazine, the Society of Genealogists's resident genie Else Churchill is interviewed. Amongst her comments is one which may well prove to be prophetic - "I... think the balance between privacy and historical research will tip against family historians".

In the Republic of Ireland at present the issue of a privacy bill that will have serious consequences for access to the vital records of the country continues to rear its ugly head (see http://britishgenes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/privacy-bill-in-ireland-rears-its-head.html) - but take a look also at Judy G. Russell's latest blog post on The Legal Genealogist, about an important US database called the SSDI index (Social Security Death Index). It's accessible at www.legalgenealogist.com/blog/2012/10/09/what-were-up-against/ and shows that when it comes to such issues, common sense may not necessarily be what rules the day in the end.

One to watch...

Chris

Scottish Research Online - 5 weeks online Pharos course, £45.99, taught by Chris Paton from 26 SEP 2012 - see www.pharostutors.com
New book: It's Perthshire 1866 - there's been a murder... www.thehistorypress.co.uk/products/The-Mount-Stewart-Murder.aspx (from June 12th 2012)

GSI seeks Irish privacy law clause

I've just been reading the latest Genealogical Society of Ireland (www.familyhistory.ie) newsletter for May, which has an interesting story on a forthcoming privacy bill in the Republic of Ireland. It's a bit complicated, but it seems to suggest that if the Privacy Bill 2012 is passed in its current form, there will be a possible threat to genealogists in the country wishing to use information currently made available from public registers, the very data required for family history research.

An exemption made in the Defamation Bill of 2009 on the use of such information is not present as things stand in Section 4 (3) (a) of the Privacy Bill, which the GSI is now lobbying to change. Without such a change, it seems that a person can complain that their privacy has been breached even if material about them was gathered from a public register. The issue was first raised in 2006, but there appears to have been little progress made in addressing it as yet by the Irish government.

Not sure what progress has been made since publication, but the full story is at www.familyhistory.ie/docs/gazette/2012/GSI_May2012.pdf. Hopefully the GSI will be successful in its aims.

Incidentally, last year Linda Reid of the Toronto branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society kindly made a guest post on the former Scottish GENES blog looking at privacy issues in Canada - the post is at http://scottishancestry.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/guest-post-privacy-laws-in-ontario.html. Not everyone in the world has the same access rights that we take for granted here in the UK.

Chris

British GENES on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishGENES and Twitter @chrismpaton

Scotland's Greatest Story research service www.ScotlandsGreatestStory.co.uk and www.facebook.com/ScottishGenealogyResearch