Ancestry Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy

Effective March 31, 2024, this Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy (“Policy”) supplements the Ancestry Privacy Statement and applies to Personal Information defined as “Consumer Health Data” as such term is defined by Washington’s My Health My Data Act, Nevada’s Consumer Health Data Privacy Law, Connecticut’s Data Privacy Act, or other applicable state consumer health privacy laws. Capitalized terms in this Policy have the meanings given to them in the Ancestry Privacy Statement.

Consumer Health Data We Collect

As described in the Ancestry Privacy Statement, the Personal Information we collect depends on how you choose to interact with the Services and the privacy choices you make. Some of this Personal Information may be considered Consumer Health Data, for example:

  • AncestryDNA Registration Information. When you register an AncestryDNA test kit or upload your DNA Data, we collect the registration code associated with your AncestryDNA test kit (if applicable), your assigned sex at birth, and your birthdate.
  • Genetic Information. When you take an AncestryDNA test, we extract DNA from your sample at our partner laboratories and convert it into DNA Data. Any file containing your DNA Data uploaded from another DNA testing service is also DNA Data under this Policy. We process your DNA Data to provide you with an ethnicity estimate (ancestral regions and ancestral journeys). We also process your DNA Data to provide you information about your degree of relatedness to other users in our DNA database and some genetic markers associated with certain biological, physiological, behavioral traits, other characteristics (such as hair thickness and eye color), or traits associated with preferences and wellness. As further described in the Ancestry Privacy Statement, you may choose to share some of this information with other Ancestry users.
  • DNA Surveys. If you agree to take DNA surveys, we will collect the information from the survey questions that you answer and use it for the continued development and improvement of AncestryDNA features, such as traits. If you agree to our Informed Consent to Research, your survey responses may also be used for research.

Purposes for which We Collect and Use Consumer Health Data

We use your Personal Information, which may include Consumer Health Data, to provide and improve the Services, for purposes permitted by applicable law, and for other purposes with your consent and subject to your applicable privacy choices. As described in the Ancestry Privacy Statement these purposes may include:

  • Delivering your ethnicity estimate (ancestral regions and ancestral journeys), DNA matches (e.g., close or extended family or others to whom you may be related) from our database, and providing other features to help you and other users learn more about yourself, each other, potential family members, and your genetic relatives and family groups;
  • Providing you with other insights into what your DNA Data may reveal about traits and wellness;
  • Providing relevant results to assist you in discovering common ancestors and other details about your family history, as well as helping you build your family tree or connect with friends and family; and
  • Issuing surveys and questionnaires for use in the Services, as well as facilitating product development and research initiatives.

Sources of Consumer Health Data

As described in the Ancestry Privacy Statement, we collect data, which may include Consumer Health Data, directly from you and through your use of the Services.

Consumer Health Data and Who We Share It With

Ancestry does not share your individual Personal Information (including your Consumer Health Data) with third parties except as described in the Ancestry Privacy Statement or with your additional consent. We share the following Personal Information, which may constitute the sharing of Consumer Health Data:

  • Other Users or Others You May Choose to Share With. As part of your use of the Services, you have the option to add or share information with all users of the Services or, through sharing features, with particular Ancestry users and even non-Ancestry users. For example, if you opt-in to view and be seen by your DNA matches, you and your DNA matches can see certain Personal Information about each other, including:
    • How you and your matches might be related including how you might fit within your respective family trees; and
    • Your traits (unless you opt out of sharing traits).
  • Service Providers. We work with other companies when providing and marketing the Services. As a result, these companies will have access to or otherwise process your data, including some of your Consumer Health Data, in their systems. These companies are subject to contractual obligations governing privacy, data security, and confidentiality consistent with applicable laws.
  • Law Enforcement. Ancestry does not voluntarily provide data of any kind to governmental or judicial bodies or to law enforcement agencies.
  • Other Third Parties. We may share your Personal Information if we believe it is reasonably necessary to:
    • Comply with valid legal processes (e.g., subpoenas, warrants);
    • Enforce or apply our Terms and Conditions;
    • Protect the security or integrity of the Services; or
    • Protect the rights, property, or safety of Ancestry, our employees, or users.
  • Ancestry Companies. We share your information within the Ancestry group of companies including Ancestry.com Operations Inc. and the companies listed here (the “Ancestry Companies”) to provide and improve the Services.

How to Exercise Your Rights

You can exercise your right to access, delete, or withdraw consent relating to Consumer Health Data using the tools and mechanisms described in the Ancestry Privacy Statement. These tools and mechanisms are summarized below.

Right to Access

To submit a request to know for Ancestry online, follow these step-by-step instructions on how to download account data, tree data, and DNA Data.

To submit your request to know for our related brands (Fold3, Forces War Records, Newspapers.com™, Archives, We Remember, and Find a Grave), contact us at the related brand. Some Services may also have an online request form accessible from the account settings menu (contact information and link to online request form, if available, are here).

Right to Delete

You can delete your Ancestry account by following these step-by-step instructions. You can delete your AncestryDNA results by following these step-by-step instructions. You can delete any trees you have created from within the Services.

To submit your request for deletion from our related brands (Fold3, Forces War Records, Newspapers.com™, Archives, We Remember, and Find a Grave), contact us at the related brand. Some Services may also have an online request form accessible from the account settings menu (contact information and link to online request form, if available, are here).

Right to Withdraw Consent

Where we rely on consent to collect or share your Personal Information, including Consumer Health Data, you can withdraw your consent through your device or our privacy settings and controls.

Contacting Us Directly and Appeals Process

If you have questions about this Policy, you can contact us at [email protected]. If your request to exercise a consumer right outlined in this Policy is denied, you may appeal that decision by 1) replying to the appealed communication; 2) including the phrase, “request for appeal” in the subject line; and 3) clearly stating the specific reasons for your appeal. Your request will then be reviewed, and you will be informed of our decision. If your appeal is unsuccessful, you can file a complaint with the applicable regulatory authority in your state, including: