Privacy Policy

Overview

FTAnalyzer is a free tool that analyses GEDCOM genealogy files. We take your privacy seriously. This policy explains what happens to your data when you use this service.

What data is processed

When you upload a GEDCOM file, it may contain personal information about your relatives, including:

• Names, dates of birth, marriage and death
• Family relationships
• Places of birth, marriage and death
• Occupations and other biographical facts
• Source citations and notes

This data is read from your file and held in the server's memory for the duration of your session only. It is used solely to generate the statistics and analysis displayed to you.

How your data is stored — and when it is deleted

FTAnalyzer operates as a Blazor Server application. When you upload a file, it is temporarily held in the server's memory while your browser session is active. Your data is not stored on the server unless you explicitly opt in to tree storage (see Optional account features below).

Your data is removed from the server when any of the following occur:

• You close your browser tab or window
• Your session times out due to inactivity
• You upload a different GEDCOM file (which replaces the previous one)
• You explicitly click "Reset" or "Upload new file"
• The server is restarted

Cookies and similar technologies

Essential cookies

FTAnalyzer uses a session cookie to maintain your connection to the server (required by the SignalR technology that powers the interactive interface). This cookie:

• Is created automatically when you visit the site
• Contains only a session identifier — no personal data
• Is deleted when you close your browser
• Is not used for tracking or advertising

Analytics cookies

We use Google Analytics 4 (GA4) to understand how the site is used and to help us improve the experience. Google Analytics sets cookies to collect anonymous information about:

• How many people visit the site
• Which pages are visited and how users navigate between them
• How long visitors spend on the site
• General device and browser information (e.g. screen size, browser type)

This data is aggregated and anonymous — it does not identify you personally and is never linked to your GEDCOM data. Google Analytics cookies are set by Google and are governed by Google's Privacy Policy. You can opt out of Google Analytics across all websites by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

We do not use advertising cookies or any other third-party tracking technologies.

Optional account features

User accounts and authentication

If you choose to sign in with Google, we store your email address and display name to identify your account. We never receive or store your Google password.

Settings sync

When signed in, your application settings (display preferences, date options, etc.) are stored in our database so they persist across devices. These settings contain no personal genealogy data.

Tree storage (opt-in only)

You may optionally choose to store your GEDCOM file on our server. This feature is disabled by default and requires your explicit consent via the Account Settings page. If enabled:

• Your GEDCOM file is compressed and stored in our database
• The file may contain personal information about individuals in your family tree, including living persons
• Only you can access your stored tree via your authenticated account
• Stored trees are automatically deleted after 30 days if not updated. We recommend re-uploading your GEDCOM regularly to keep your analysis current and reflect any changes you have made in your genealogy software
• You can delete your stored tree at any time from your Account Settings
• Deleting your account removes all stored data permanently

This feature is entirely optional. The app works fully without it. It exists solely as a short-term convenience for users who wish to access their tree from multiple devices without re-uploading. It is not intended as long-term or archival storage. GEDCOM files up to 50 MB may be uploaded and stored. For larger files, please use the free FTAnalyzer desktop app from the Microsoft Store.

Geocoding and map API keys (optional)

FTAnalyzer maintains a shared database of geocoded locations used to plot maps. You can optionally contribute your own free API keys to help power this:

• Google Geocoding API key (used on the Help with Geocoding page) — this key is held in your browser session's memory only, for as long as you are actively using that page. It is never saved to our database, disk, or configuration, and you will need to re-enter it each time you wish to contribute.
• MapTiler API key (used to unlock historical map backgrounds on the Locations Map) — unlike the Google key, this key is saved to your account so you don't need to re-enter it every time. It is used solely to fetch map images on your behalf when you view historical maps, is never shared with other users, and you can remove it at any time from the "Historical Maps Key" section of your Account Settings page.

Neither key is ever sold, shared, or used for any purpose other than the geocoding or mapping feature it was supplied for.

Your rights

You can delete your account and all associated data (settings, stored tree, saved MapTiler key) at any time from the Account Settings page. This immediately and permanently removes all your data from our servers.

Data sharing

We do not sell, share, rent, or otherwise transfer your personal data or genealogy data to any third parties. Your GEDCOM data is never transmitted beyond the secure connection between your browser and this server.

Anonymous, aggregated site usage data is collected by Google Analytics as described in the Cookies section above. This data contains no personal information and cannot be used to identify you or access your family tree data.

Security

Communication between your browser and this server uses HTTPS encryption. Your genealogy data is isolated to your own session and cannot be accessed by other users.

If you opt in to tree storage, your compressed GEDCOM file is stored in a database accessible only via authenticated server-side connections. Only your own authenticated account can retrieve your stored tree. Stored trees are automatically deleted after 30 days if not updated.

Your rights

For users who do not sign in, FTAnalyzer does not retain any personal data beyond the active session. Your genealogy data ceases to exist on our servers the moment your session ends.

For users who sign in and opt in to tree storage, you can view, export, and delete all your stored data at any time from your Account Settings page. Deleting your account permanently removes all associated data from our servers.

If you wish to prevent analytics data collection, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on or use your browser's built-in cookie controls to block third-party cookies.

If you have any questions or concerns about privacy, please contact us at ftanalyzer@gmail.com or via the FTAnalyzer Facebook group.

Changes to this policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The date at the top of this page shows when it was last revised. Continued use of the service after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.