"Cookies" in this policy also covers pixels, local storage and similar technologies
Ancestry uses the single word "Cookies" for cookies and other similar technologies, such as pixels and local storage objects, used in connection with its Services. Whenever this policy says Cookies, it includes those other tracking technologies, not only browser cookie files. Capitalized terms the policy does not define (for example "Services" and "Service Providers") take their meaning from Ancestry's Privacy Statement.
Supporting quotations
This Cookie policy describes how Ancestry uses cookies and other similar technologies, such as pixels and local storage objects (which we refer to collectively as “Cookies”) in connection with its Services.
Any capitalized term used and not otherwise defined below has the meaning assigned to it in our
Qualifications & exceptions
The defined term reaches "other similar technologies"; pixels and local storage objects are examples, not a complete list.
Undefined capitalized terms are defined in the Privacy Statement, which is linked but not part of this source.
Not stated here
The Privacy Statement was not supplied, so the exact definitions of Services and Service Providers are not known from this document.
Cookies are small files that let Ancestry tell you apart from other visitors
The policy describes cookies as small text files stored in your browser or on your hard drive that let Ancestry differentiate between you and other visitors. It says they help site providers remember login details, store site preferences and understand how a user interacts with a site.
Supporting quotations
Cookies are small text files, stored in your browser or on your hard drive, that allow us to differentiate between you and other visitors.
They help site providers with things like remembering a user’s login details, storing site preferences and understanding how a user interacts with a site.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Ancestry uses Cookies for site function, fraud prevention, usage analysis, preferences and advertising
Ancestry says it uses Cookies, in accordance with its Privacy Statement, to make its Services function properly, detect and prevent fraud, understand how visitors use and engage with the site, set your preferences, deliver relevant advertising, and analyze and improve its Services. Because "Cookies" includes pixels and local storage here, these purposes cover those technologies too.
Supporting quotations
We use Cookies in accordance with our
ensure that our Services function properly;
detect and prevent fraud;
understand how visitors use and engage with our site;
set your preferences;
deliver relevant advertising; and
analyze and improve Services.
Qualifications & exceptions
These uses are stated to be in accordance with the Privacy Statement, which this source does not include.
Not stated here
How the Privacy Statement limits or expands these purposes is not known from this document.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
First-party Cookies are placed by Ancestry and may include its Service Providers' Cookies
The policy names two main types of Cookies. First-party Cookies are placed by Ancestry directly when you use its Services. Ancestry adds that first-party Cookies may include Cookies from Service Providers, so a Cookie counted as first-party is not necessarily one only Ancestry's own systems use.
Supporting quotations
There are two main types of Cookies that can be set:
First party Cookies: these Cookies are placed by Ancestry directly when you use our Services. First party Cookies may include Cookies from Service Providers.
Not stated here
Which Service Providers set first-party Cookies is not listed in this document; the policy points to a separate Cookie table that was not supplied.
Sharing & Disclosure · Company practice
Third-party Cookies from companies like Google or YouTube are used for analytics and ads, outside Ancestry's control
Third-party Cookies belong to other companies, such as Google or YouTube, and are used for site analytics and advertising. They provide a service or function to Ancestry, but Ancestry states that it cannot control how those third-party Cookies are used. The policy points you to its management section for how to manage them.
Supporting quotations
Third party Cookies: these Cookies do not belong to Ancestry. They are owned by other companies, like Google or YouTube, and are used for site analytics and advertising purposes.
Third-party Cookies will be providing a service to Ancestry or a function to us but Ancestry cannot control how those third-party Cookies are used.
Qualifications & exceptions
Ancestry disclaims control over how third parties use their own Cookies; how those companies use the data is governed by them, not described here.
Not stated here
The full list of third parties is not in this document; it is said to be in a separate Cookie table that was not supplied.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
Cookies let Ancestry log you in automatically and keep you logged in across the site
Ancestry gives examples of what Cookies do for you: logging you in automatically each time you visit, remembering your preferences, keeping you logged in as you move around the site, and giving you a personal experience.
Supporting quotations
For example, every time you visit our site we can log you in automatically, and remember your preferences. Plus, we can keep you logged in as you move around the site and give you a personal experience.
Use & Processing · Restriction or exception
Necessary Cookies cannot be removed or turned off
In its table of Cookie categories, Ancestry describes Necessary Cookies as essential for its Services to operate: they make your password work, keep you logged in between pages, and remember things like your shopping cart or how far you are through an order. Ancestry states that Necessary Cookies cannot be removed or turned off, so its own preference tools do not offer a switch for this category.
Supporting quotations
Necessary Cookies are essential for the operation of our Services.
These Cookies do things like ensure that your password works and you stay logged in when you move between pages on the website and help the website to remember details like what is in your shopping cart or how far you are through an order.
Necessary Cookies cannot be removed or turned off.
Qualifications & exceptions
The policy elsewhere says you can set your browser to block Cookies, with the warning that parts of the site may then not work; the "cannot be turned off" statement describes Ancestry's category, not a technical bar on browser blocking.
Cross-references
contrast (model-proposed): You can set your browser to block Cookies, but parts of the site may then not work — contrast: Ancestry says Necessary Cookies cannot be removed or turned off, yet also says you can set your browser to block Cookies. Read together, Ancestry's own controls do not switch Necessary Cookies off, while browser blocking remains available at the cost of site features not working as intended.
Security & Safeguards · Company practice
Necessary Cookies are used for login state, fraud detection and data security
Ancestry lists ways it uses Necessary Cookies, saying the list is not exhaustive: authentication, to remember your login state as you navigate its websites; fraud prevention and detection, to monitor for and detect potentially harmful or illegal use of its Services; and security, to protect your data from unauthorized access.
Supporting quotations
We use those Cookies in a number of different ways, including:
Authentication – To remember your login state so you don’t have to log in as you navigate through our websites.
Fraud Prevention and Detection – To help us monitor for and detect potentially harmful or illegal use of our Services.
Security – To protect your data from unauthorized access.
Qualifications & exceptions
The list is introduced with "including", so other necessary uses may exist.
Use & Processing · Company practice
Analytics Cookies track how users reach and use the site and what interests them
Analytics Cookies help Ancestry understand how users interact with its Services and how people reach its website. Ancestry uses them to analyze and improve its Services, improve how the site works, understand what interests its users, and measure how effective its content is.
Supporting quotations
Analytics Cookies help us understand how users interact with our Services.
Analytics Cookies help us understand how people reach our website and they give us insights into improvements or enhancements we need to make to our Services.
We use them to improve how our site works, understand what interests our users, and measure content effectiveness.
Inference & Profiling · Company practice
Advertising Cookies are used to understand your interests and show more relevant ads
Advertising Cookies are used to better understand your interests and to show you ads, from Ancestry and from its third-party advertising partners, that are more relevant to you.
Supporting quotations
Advertising
Advertising Cookies are used to better understand your interests and show you ads from Ancestry and our third-party advertising partners that are more relevant to you.
Sharing & Disclosure · Company practice
Advertising Cookies may share data with advertisers who track you across sites and build an interest profile
Ancestry says Advertising Cookies may be used to share data with advertisers (online behavioral advertising). This can allow advertisers to track your activity across Ancestry's websites and other sites, and that tracking may be used to build a profile of your interests and to target content to you on third-party sites. The policy says "may", so it describes what can happen, not that it happens for every visitor.
Supporting quotations
Advertising Cookies may be used to share data with advertisers (also referred to as online behavioral advertising) allowing them to track your activity data across our websites and other sites, which may be used to build a profile of your interests and target content to you across third party sites.
Qualifications & exceptions
Stated as something Advertising Cookies "may" be used for, not a description of every visit.
Not stated here
Which advertisers receive data and what data is shared are not identified in this document; the Cookie table and Privacy Statement were not supplied.
Sharing & Disclosure · Company practice
Advertising Cookies also power social "like" and "share" buttons
Ancestry groups the Cookies that let you share pages with social networks, such as the "like" and "share" buttons on its website, under Advertising Cookies.
Supporting quotations
Advertising Cookies also allow you to share certain pages with social networks (e.g. the “like”, “share” button on our website.)
Sharing & Disclosure · Company practice
Advertising Cookies cap ad repetition; third parties help, and ads may appear on related brands' sites
In the Advertising row, Ancestry says these Cookies limit how many times you see an advertisement, and that it works with third parties who do this for it. It adds that it may, in limited circumstances, also place ads around its related brands' sites.
Supporting quotations
These Cookies limit the number of times you see an advertisement.
We work with third parties who do this for us and we may, in limited circumstances, also place ads around our related brands’ sites.
Qualifications & exceptions
Placing ads around related brands' sites is limited to "limited circumstances", which the policy does not define.
Not stated here
The related brands and the limited circumstances are not identified in this document.
Account & Service Control · Company practice
Functional / Preference Cookies remember account settings such as username, language and region
Functional or Preference Cookies help the site run at its best and remember your preferences when you have an account, such as your username, language or the region you are in. Ancestry says they also help it understand how the site is used so it can measure and improve performance.
Supporting quotations
These Cookies allow our site to operate at its best and remember your preferences when you have an account with us (such as your username, language or the region you are in).
They also help us to understand how our site is used so that we can measure and improve its performance.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
Pixels in web pages and emails report device and visit details and show whether you opened an email
Ancestry uses pixels (also called web beacons or action tags): tiny images in web pages and emails that call Ancestry's servers, and that call provides device and visit information. Ancestry uses pixels to learn about your interactions with email or web content, such as whether you opened an email or interacted with ads. Pixels can also let Ancestry and third parties place Cookies on your browser.
Supporting quotations
A pixel (a.k.a, web beacons, action tags) is a tiny image that may be found within web pages and emails, requiring a call (which provides device and visit information) to our servers in order for the pixel to be rendered in those web pages and emails.
We use pixels to learn more about your interactions with email content or web content, such as whether you opened an email or interacted with ads.
Pixels can also allow us and third parties to place Cookies on your browser.
Qualifications & exceptions
Pixels count as "Cookies" under this policy's collective definition, so the policy's Cookie choices apply to them as described.
Not stated here
Which third parties place Cookies through pixels is not listed here; the Cookie table was not supplied.
Data Access & Collection · Company practice
Local storage keeps information on your device to enable features, remember preferences and speed up the site
Local storage lets a website or app store information on your device. Ancestry says it may use local storage to improve the Ancestry experience, for example by enabling features, remembering your preferences and speeding up site functionality.
Supporting quotations
Local storage enables a website or application to store information locally on your device(s).
Local storage may be used to improve the Ancestry experience, for example, by enabling features, remembering your preferences and speeding up site functionality.
Data Access & Collection · Context
Ancestry's mobile apps use SDKs, described only in general terms
The policy lists SDKs (software development kits) as another technology it uses: software packages in mobile applications that may contain APIs or other tools that help Ancestry debug, build, run and test its mobile apps. The policy describes what an SDK is in general terms; it does not say which SDKs Ancestry's apps include or what information they collect or share.
Supporting quotations
A software development kit, or SDK, is a downloadable software package used in mobile applications.
A typical SDK may contain APIs which are pre-defined pieces of code that help you perform common programming tasks on the platform or other tools that help us do things like debug, build, run, and test our mobile apps.
Not stated here
Which SDKs are in Ancestry's apps, and what data they collect or send to their providers, is not stated in this document.
Data Access & Collection · Context
A separate Cookie table lists individual first- and third-party Cookies; names may change
The policy does not name individual Cookies. It points to a separate Cookies table that lists first- and third-party Cookies on Ancestry's sites, together with its partners. Ancestry notes that the names of Cookies, pixels and other technologies may change over time and says it will update its resources when that happens.
Supporting quotations
Ancestry’s Cookies [table](https://www.ancestry.com/c/legal/cookie-table) lists first and third-party Cookies on our sites, together with our partners.
Please note that the names of Cookies, pixels and other technologies may change over time and we will update our resources when that happens.
Qualifications & exceptions
The Cookie table is a linked page, not part of this source.
Not stated here
The specific Cookies, partners and their purposes in the Cookie table are not known from this document.
Data Access & Collection · User right or choice
You can manage Ancestry Cookie preferences at any time; other Ancestry services use a site-footer link
The policy says you can use a tool to manage your Ancestry Cookie preferences at any time, but the saved text does not capture the tool's name: the sentence reads "You can use" and continues "to manage your Ancestry Cookie preferences at any time". Depending on your location, for Know Your Pet DNA, Newspapers.com and similar Ancestry services, you review and manage cookie preferences through the "Do Not Sell or Share" link or the "GDPR" link at the bottom of that service's website. The management section appears twice in the saved page; the second version omits the sentence about other Ancestry services.
Supporting quotations
You can use
to manage your Ancestry Cookie preferences at any time.
Depending on your location, you can review and manage your cookie preferences for Know Your Pet DNA, Newspapers.com, and similar Ancestry services by following the Do Not Sell or Share link or GDPR link at the bottom of the website for the relevant service.
You can use
to manage your Cookie preferences at any time.
Qualifications & exceptions
Which footer link is shown depends on your location.
The policy does not say Necessary Cookies can be switched off through this tool; it states elsewhere that they cannot.
Not stated here
The name or location of the preference control is missing from the saved text (likely an interactive link or button).
Which audience or region sees each of the two versions of this section is not stated.
Data Access & Collection · User right or choice
You can set your browser to block Cookies, but parts of the site may then not work
As an alternative to Ancestry's preference tool, you can set your browser to block Cookies, following your browser's own instructions. Ancestry warns that if you disable Cookies, some features of its site and Services may not operate as intended.
Supporting quotations
Alternatively you can set your browser to block Cookies.
Please check your browser for instructions on how to do this or follow the instructions below to understand your options.
If you choose to disable Cookies, some features of our site and Services may not operate as intended.
Alternatively you can set your browser to block Cookies.
If you choose to disable Cookies, some features of our site and Services may not operate as intended.
Qualifications & exceptions
Blocking Cookies may stop some site features and Services from working as intended.
Data Access & Collection · Procedure
Ancestry links to cookie-management help for seven browsers
Ancestry says each browser works differently and lists instructions for some browsers it supports: Internet Explorer, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, Google Chrome, Brave and Microsoft Edge, each linking to that browser maker's help page. The list covers "some of the browsers we support", so other supported browsers may not be listed.
Supporting quotations
Each browser works differently, but here are instructions on how to manage your Cookies, using some of the browsers we support:
Internet Explorer
Safari
Mozilla Firefox
Opera
Google Chrome
Brave
Microsoft Edge
Internet Explorer
Safari
Mozilla Firefox
Opera
Google Chrome
Brave
Microsoft Edge
Each browser works differently, but here are instructions on how to manage your Cookies, using some of the browsers we support :
Qualifications & exceptions
Only some supported browsers are listed.
Sharing & Disclosure · User right or choice
Third-party opt-out settings are listed in the separate Cookie table
For third-party Cookies, Ancestry directs you to opt-out settings that it says are available in its Cookie table, a separate linked page. This policy itself does not list those opt-outs.
Supporting quotations
Third-party opt-out settings available in our [Cookie table](https://www.ancestry.com/c/legal/cookie-table).
Not stated here
The opt-out options themselves are in the Cookie table, which was not supplied.
Data Access & Collection · Restriction or exception
Blocking or deleting Cookies can break the site and may mean re-setting your preferences
If you block all Cookies in your browser, or switch off certain Cookies, you may not be able to access some or all parts of Ancestry's site, and it may not work as intended. If you delete, block or otherwise restrict Cookies, or use a different device or browser, you may need to set your preferences again.
Supporting quotations
If you change your browser settings to block all Cookies, or if you switch off certain Cookies, you may not be able to access some or all parts of our site and the site may not work as intended.
In addition, if you delete, block or otherwise restrict Cookies, or if you use a different device or internet browser, you may need to renew your preferences again.
Ancestry points to allaboutcookies.org for general cookie advice
For general information on Cookies, including how to find which Cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, Ancestry points to the external site allaboutcookies.org.
Supporting quotations
Generally, you can find out more about Cookies and get advice discovering what Cookies have been set and how you can manage and delete them at
Data Access & Collection · Restriction or exception
Ancestry does not respond to browser Do-Not-Track signals
Ancestry states that it does not respond to Do-Not-Track signals from your browser at this time, because there is no established industry standard. Turning on Do-Not-Track in your browser therefore does not change how Ancestry uses Cookies; the policy's other choices (its preference tool, browser blocking and third-party opt-outs) are the ways it describes to limit them. Ancestry frames this alongside a statement that it does its best to honor your privacy preferences and has implemented industry standard safeguards "as described above".
Supporting quotations
we do not respond to Do-Not-Track signals from your browser at this time due to the lack of an established industry standard.
Ancestry notes that although we do our best to honor your privacy preferences, and have implemented industry standard safeguards as described above,
Qualifications & exceptions
Stated as Ancestry's position "at this time"; the reason given is the lack of an established industry standard.
Not stated here
The policy refers to industry standard safeguards "as described above", but the policy text above does not describe specific safeguards beyond the security use of Necessary Cookies; what is meant is unclear.
Sharing & Disclosure · Context
Ancestry points to ad-industry sites (NAI, YourAdChoices, EDAA, IAB) on advertisers' use of Cookies
To learn more about how advertisers use Cookies, Ancestry suggests the Network Advertising Initiative page on online advertising, YourAdChoices' control page, the European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EU), and the Internet Advertising Bureau in the US and EU. These are external industry resources; the policy does not describe what each offers or say that Ancestry's partners participate in them.
Supporting quotations
To learn more about advertisers' use of Cookies we encourage you to view the following:
https://thenai.org/about-online-advertising/
https://youradchoices.com/control
European Interactive Digital Advertising Alliance (EU)
Internet Advertising Bureau (US)
Internet Advertising Bureau (EU)
Not stated here
Whether Ancestry's advertising partners honor the opt-outs offered on these industry sites is not stated.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Procedure
Questions about the Cookie Policy go to Ancestry by email; the address is not in the saved text
Ancestry asks you to email it with any questions about its Cookie Policy. The saved page shows the address as "[email protected]", a placeholder in place of the real address, so the address itself is not available from this source.
Supporting quotations
If you have any questions regarding Ancestry’s Cookie Policy please email [email protected].
Not stated here
The actual email address is not captured in the saved source.
Legal Rights & Agreement Rules · Context
The Cookie Policy was last revised on 23 April 2024
The policy states that it was last revised on 23 April 2024. This analysis covers that version.