PRIVACY POLICY

The Family Detective — Privacy Policy Last Updated: September 2026 The Family Detective respects the privacy of our clients and the sensitive nature of family-history research. This Privacy Policy explains the types of information we may collect, why we use it, and how information associated with genealogy investigations is handled. 1. Information We Collect When you use The Family Detective, we may collect information you voluntarily provide, including your name, email address, telephone number, account information, names of relatives and ancestors, dates and locations associated with family members, family relationships, photographs, historical records, documents, research questions, and other information submitted as part of an investigation. We may also maintain information associated with your case, including your case number, selected research service, payment status, case status, researcher findings, records located during research, and communications concerning the investigation. 2. Genealogy and Family Information Genealogy investigations may involve information about both deceased and living individuals. We use family information provided by clients for the purpose of conducting the requested genealogy investigation, documenting research findings, administering the case, and communicating results to the client. Clients should avoid providing unnecessary sensitive information about living individuals. 3. DNA Genealogy Information For DNA Match Investigations, clients may voluntarily provide information such as DNA testing service used, match names or usernames, predicted relationships, shared centimorgan (cM) amounts, family-tree information, and screenshots or other information relevant to genealogical analysis. The Family Detective does not perform laboratory DNA testing. Clients generally should not provide raw DNA data files unless specifically requested and necessary for an agreed research service. DNA-related information will be used for the genealogy investigation for which it was provided and should not be used for unrelated purposes without appropriate authorization. without appropriate authorization. 4. Payments Payments may be processed by a third-party payment processor such as Stripe. The Family Detective does not need to store customers' complete credit or debit card numbers within its case-management database. Payment records may include information such as the amount paid, payment status, transaction reference, refund status, and date of payment. 5. How Information Is Used Information may be used to conduct requested genealogy research, create and maintain case files, communicate with clients, provide the My Cases portal, process payments and refunds, assign authorized researchers, prepare research reports, maintain business records, protect the security of the service, and comply with applicable legal requirements. 6. Independent Researchers The Family Detective may use approved independent genealogy researchers to assist with investigations. Researchers should receive access only to information reasonably necessary for their assigned cases and are expected to protect client confidentiality. Researchers should not use client information for unrelated personal, commercial, or research purposes. 7. Client Portal and Internal Research Clients may access approved information through the My Cases portal. Internal research notes, working theories, unconfirmed relationships, administrative information, and other internal materials may remain restricted to authorized research personnel. 8. Third-Party Research Sources Genealogy research may involve third-party sources such as archives, libraries, government repositories, courthouses, genealogy databases, newspaper collections, cemetery databases, and DNA genealogy services. Use of those services may be governed by their respective privacy policies and terms. 9. Information Sharing The Family Detective does not sell client genealogy case information or DNA genealogy information to advertisers or data brokers. Information may be disclosed to service providers or authorized researchers when reasonably necessary to operate the service or conduct the requested investigation. Information may also be disclosed when legally required or when reasonably necessary to protect the security, rights, or integrity of the service. 10. Security Reasonable administrative and technical safeguards should be used to protect client accounts and case information. However, no internet-based system can guarantee absolute security. Clients are responsible for protecting their account credentials and should contact The Family Detective if they believe their account has been accessed without authorization. 11. Retention and Deletion Case information may be retained for legitimate business, recordkeeping, research-history, dispute-resolution, and legal purposes. Clients may contact The Family Detective to request information about deletion of eligible personal information. Some information may need to be retained where reasonably necessary for payment records, legal obligations, fraud prevention, dispute resolution, or other legitimate business requirements. 12. Children The Family Detective's paid services are intended for adults. Individuals under 18 should not independently purchase or submit a genealogy investigation. 13. Changes to This Policy This Privacy Policy may be updated as The Family Detective's services or legal requirements change. The current version and effective date should be posted on the website. 14. Contact Questions about privacy or requests concerning personal information may be submitted through The Family Detective's designated contact method.