Privacy Policy

Last Updated: January 9, 2025

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide

• Account information (name, email, password)
• Family history content (stories, photos, documents, audio recordings)
• Family tree information and relationships
• Metadata associated with your uploads

Information Collected Automatically

• Login times and IP addresses for security
• Browser type and device information
• Usage patterns within your family portal
• Error logs to improve service reliability

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information solely to provide family history services:

• Create and maintain your private family portal
• Process and organize your family content
• Enable family collaboration features
• Send service notifications (if enabled)
• Ensure platform security and prevent abuse
• Provide customer support when requested

3. Information Sharing

The only exceptions are:

• Within Your Family: Content is shared only with family members you authorize
• Service Providers: Technical services like backup storage (under strict confidentiality)
• Legal Requirements: If required by law or valid legal process
• Safety: To prevent harm or illegal activities

4. Data Security

We implement multiple layers of security:

• Encryption in transit (HTTPS/TLS)
• Encrypted database storage
• Regular security audits and updates
• Access logging and anomaly detection
• Automated backups with encryption
• Two-factor authentication available

5. Your Privacy Rights

Under GDPR and other privacy laws, you have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of your personal data
• Rectification: Correct inaccurate information
• Erasure: Delete your account and data
• Portability: Export your data in standard formats
• Restriction: Limit how we process your data
• Object: Opt out of certain processing

Exercise these rights through your Privacy Settings when logged in.

6. Data Retention

We retain your information as long as your account is active. When you delete your account:

• Personal information is removed immediately
• Content can be preserved anonymously (your choice)
• Backups are purged within 30 days
• Some logs retained for security/legal purposes

7. Children's Privacy

Children under 13 cannot create accounts. Family members can add children to family trees with parental consent. We do not knowingly collect information from children without authorization.

8. International Data

Your data is stored on servers in the European Union. If you access the service from outside the EU, your information will be transferred under appropriate safeguards compliant with GDPR.

9. AI and Automated Processing

We use AI to help organize and enhance your family content:

• Photo face detection (not recognition)
• Document text extraction (OCR)
• Story theme identification
• Timeline organization

AI processing is optional and can be disabled in Privacy Settings.

10. Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this policy to reflect service improvements or legal requirements. Significant changes will be notified via email and portal announcement.

11. Contact Information