Database uploads

* Update - we have edited this post as we are continuing discussions with FamilyTree DNA. We will provide an update here when we have further news.

8th July 2018 was the first time we were asked by a customer about uploading our files to databases other than GEDmatch. Below is our response to that enquiry back then:

“If MyHeritage or FamilyTree DNA (FTDNA) had a compatible database, the file we generate could potentially (technically) be uploaded to their databases. Without a formal agreement with those companies in place we do not support it. This is because we believe it would be good business practice for us to advise and agree such an arrangement with those companies beforehand.”

Since writing that five years ago, our fundamental position has not changed, and we have continued to advise customers of this position. As stated in our Terms and Conditions (T&Cs) we provide our customers with a GEDmatch-compatible autosomal DNA file and (where whole genome sequencing has taken place) the associated FASTQ file. The customer owns their data, not totheletter DNA, and what they do with that data is their prerogative. We do not condone or encourage contravening T&Cs of our own or any other company.

This post was originally published on our FaceBook page on 2 June 2023