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Changes to Ancestry's Terms and Conditions.

By Andy J |
Genealogy Chat

Some forum members may have received an email from Ancestry recently notifying them about changes to their terms and conditions. One change in particular has caused some controversy, as explained in this blog posting (https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2021/08/04/one-big-change-at-ancestry/) by the Legal Genealogist Judy Russell. The resulting outcry has caused Ancestry to do a hasty U-turn 'clarifying' that they when they said "perpetual, non-revocable' with respect to their right to use members uploaded data, what they actually meant was 'not-perpetual and revocable'. Judy's second posting (https://www.legalgenealogist.com/2021/08/06/ancestry-retreats/) explains this volte-face.

Thanks Andy, and I think you have given the best link to understanding this, ie the Legal Genealogist which seems to be quite in depth.

We always need to bear in mind what we wish to share with the world when we upload our information, if you believe as many do, that our research is to be available for future family historians, then you can continue with as many restrictions as you deem acceptable for yourself, however if you want to keep all private then think twice or even three times.

Hi Mary,

I fully agree with your comment. However this particular spat was over Ancestry's right to unilaterally assume perpetual rights to use the images and data which users upload, for their own commercial gain, especially when the users are paying for the service (unlike say, Facebook). It's one thing to upload a photo of great aunt Betsy for future generations to enjoy, and quite another for Ancestry to commercially exploit the same image by selling it to advertise an old people's home or Saga Holidays.