Recently the genealogical community has been upset by FamilyTreeDNA changing its terms of service, without alerting its customers, to allow law enforcement searches. The company is now encouraging transfers to its database to catch criminals.
The Atlantic and other news outlets have been writing about this new strategy:
- A DNA Company Wants You to Help Catch Criminals, The Atlantic
- Ed Smart, Father of Elizabeth Smart Teams up with FamilyTreeDNA, PR Newswire
- Help us catch killers is now the new advertising angle for DNA companies, MIT Technology Review
I have my DNA at FamilyTreeDNA. If you have tested at Ancestry or 23andMe and haven’t transferred yet, consider whether you are also comfortable with a transfer to FamilyTreeDNA and/or Gedmatch.
Liane Jensen Research 