1. Who we are
Geneablocks is a free family history research tool available at geneablocks.com. For the purposes of UK GDPR, the data controller is the owner and operator of Geneablocks. If you have any privacy-related questions, please contact us on: legal[at]geneablocks[dot]com.
2. What data is collected and by whom
Hosting infrastructure — Netlify
Geneablocks is hosted on Netlify (Netlify, Inc., 44 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California 94104, USA). As part of standard web hosting operations, Netlify's infrastructure automatically processes certain technical data when you visit any page on this site. This may include your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URL, and the pages you visit, along with timestamps.
This data is processed by Netlify as part of their service operation and is subject to Netlify's own Privacy Policy. Netlify is certified under the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. We do not have access to individually identifiable server logs and we do not use Netlify Analytics.
Browser local storage
Geneablocks does not set cookies. The site uses browser local storage only if you interact with features that save preferences to your own device. This data never leaves your browser and is not transmitted to us or any third party. You can clear local storage at any time through your browser's settings.
Analytics — Simple Analytics
Geneablocks uses Simple Analytics to understand how the site is used. Simple Analytics is a privacy-first analytics service that does not use cookies, does not track individuals across sites, and does not collect personally identifiable information. It records aggregated data such as page views, referral sources, and general device type — nothing that identifies you as an individual.
When you arrive via a link containing campaign tracking parameters (UTM parameters — for example, from one of our Facebook advertisements), Simple Analytics records the referral source in aggregated form. This tells us that a visit came from a particular campaign, but does not identify who you are or link your visit to any personal profile.
Simple Analytics is operated by Simple Analytics BV, the Netherlands. You can read their privacy policy at simpleanalytics.com/privacy.
Affiliate partnerships
Geneablocks participates in affiliate programmes with selected genealogy services, currently TheGenealogist and Heredis. When you click an affiliate link on this site, you will be taken to the merchant's website. Geneablocks does not place any tracking cookies on your device in connection with these partnerships. The merchant's own website may set cookies to attribute referrals — this is governed by the merchant's own privacy policy, not ours. Any commission earned does not affect the price you pay.
3. Legal basis for processing
The technical data processed by Netlify's infrastructure is processed on the basis of legitimate interests — specifically, the legitimate interest in operating a functional and secure website. Aggregated, anonymised analytics data processed by Simple Analytics is also processed on the basis of legitimate interests, as it does not involve personal data. No data is processed by Geneablocks directly for marketing, profiling, or any other purpose.
4. Data retention
We do not hold personal data ourselves. Data retained by Netlify as part of their hosting infrastructure is subject to their own retention policies, which are described in their privacy policy. Simple Analytics retains aggregated, anonymised analytics data in accordance with their own retention policy, available at their website.
5. Your rights under UK GDPR
Under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018, you have the following rights in relation to your personal data:
- The right to be informed about how your data is used
- The right of access to personal data held about you
- The right to rectification of inaccurate data
- The right to erasure ("the right to be forgotten")
- The right to restrict processing
- The right to data portability
- The right to object to processing
Because Geneablocks does not directly collect or store personal data, most of these rights would need to be exercised with Netlify or Simple Analytics directly in relation to any data they hold. If you have a request or concern relating to data processed in connection with this site, please contact us on: legal[at]geneablocks[dot]com.
Data protection complaints
Under the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, you have the right to raise a data protection concern directly with us before approaching the ICO. If you have any concern about how your data is handled in connection with this site, please contact us at legal[at]geneablocks[dot]com and we will acknowledge your message within 30 days. Given that Geneablocks collects no personal data and places no cookies, we hope you will never need this — but the option is there.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK's supervisory authority, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), at ico.org.uk.
6. Third-party links
Geneablocks contains links to external genealogy resources, archives, and research tools. When you follow a link to another website, that site's own privacy policy applies. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites.
7. Children's privacy
Geneablocks is not directed at children under the age of 13 and we do not knowingly collect any data from children.
8. Changes to this policy
We will update this privacy policy when the services offered by this site change — in particular, before adding advertising or any data-collecting features. The "last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect any changes. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
9. Contact
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or how data is handled in connection with Geneablocks, please contact us on: legal[at]geneablocks[dot]com.