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Privacy Policy

Effective 21 September 2026 (version 2026-09-21)

We keep only what we need to run Rootsgen. We do not sell your information, show advertising, or use analytics or advertising trackers. Trees are private: only people the tree's owner invites can see them. You can see, export and delete your information yourself.

What we hold

  • Your account: your username, display name (optional), the public key created when you register a passkey (your device keeps the private key and any fingerprint/face/PIN data - it never reaches us), your recovery code (kept only in scrambled form, so we cannot read it), your preferences, and when you agreed to our terms. We do not ask for an email address to register or sign in.
  • Your trees: whatever you and the people you invite add - names, dates, places, relationships, notes, sources, photos and documents. This can include information about other people, including living people. The tree's owner is responsible for what they add.
  • Messages you send us: through the in-app feedback form, or by emailing us directly - what you write, and an email address only if you choose to give one so we can reply.
  • Technical details: IP addresses and browser details are handled when you connect, so the site works and to limit abuse. We do not build profiles. Your sign-in and preferences are kept in your browser's local storage. There are no advertising or analytics cookies.

How it is used, and who else handles it

Only to run the service: your account, showing trees to you and the people you invite, keeping things secure, and making backups. We do not sell or rent your information, or use the contents of trees for anything else. We have technical access in order to run the service, but we do not look inside trees except to help you when you ask, to deal with security or abuse, or to comply with the law.

A few providers handle information on our behalf, only to provide their services: cloud hosting (our servers are in San Francisco, California), an email-delivery service (used only if you give us an email address, such as in a feedback or contact message, so we can reply), and a domain and network provider. Your information is stored in the United States.

Your choices, wherever you live

  • Copy: export any tree you own with Export GEDCOM/media or Backup tree (.db).
  • Correct: change your details in Preferences, and edit tree content directly.
  • Delete: delete any tree you own, or your whole account, yourself (Preferences, then Delete my account), or ask us by emailing admin@rootsgen.net. Deleted information leaves the live system straight away; copies can remain in backups until they are replaced.
  • If you are named in someone else's tree and want it changed or removed, ask the tree's owner, or contact us.

We will respond to requests within 30 days.

A few other things

Rootsgen is not for anyone under 16. It does not track you across other websites, so it does not change how it works in response to "Do Not Track" signals. We will post any material change to this policy here with a new effective date. Questions: email admin@rootsgen.net.