Terms of Service Change
This morning the news went out in the genealogy community that Gedmatch has changed its terms of service and privacy policy.
“EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, ALL DNA KITS HAVE BEEN SET TO BE OPTED-OUT OF MATCHING BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, WE WILL PROVIDE A MEANS FOR THE PERSON WHO UPLOADED A KIT TO OPT-IN FOR THAT KIT, IF THEY DESIRE TO DO SO.”
All Gedmatch users at first login after this change are asked whether they accept the new policy, reject it, or want to wait to decide. If they reject it, their data will be removed from the site.
All kits will be opted-out of law enforcement matching.
If you do support law enforcement matching, you will need to opt-in. If you manage a kit for another person, make sure to get their consent before opting them in.
How to Opt-in
On the left side of the main Gedmatch page is the list of kits the user manages. There is a new symbol next to the pencil symbol for edit with the word Police. By default the symbol is crossed out, for opt-out.
To change the settings, select the police symbol or the pencil symbol to get to the kit management screen.
To opt-in, select “Public, with LE access” and select the “Change” button.
A kit that is opted-in will then have an opt-in Police symbol.
Liane Jensen Research 