You may be aware that a new European Union Regulation related to General Data Protection (referred to as GDPR) goes into affect on Friday, May 25, 2018. I have done my best to analyze the PSHG Group Administrative functions with respect to GDPR and presented the findings, along with some changes that have already taken place, and some more changes that will come to the PSHG Membership.
In general, I believe the PSHG’s risk level of being non-compliant or facing any kind of penalty for non-compliance is very, very low. The EU has aimed GDPR directly at big companies like Facebook, Google, etc. to comply or face financial risk. However, companies like Ancestry and FTDNA must also comply since they service European Union Citizens (and for the sake of this topic, the UK has it’s own similar legislation and is so far covered under the EU). The protections offered by GDPR are manageable for a small group like ours and make common sense. For example, you have a right to know what personal information is held by group administrators and you have a right to be forgotten (data removed). While most of the membership are American Citizens (and not directly impacted by GDPR), we do have, and continue to seek and welcome EU/UK potential cousins in order to further the goals of the PSHG. Therefore, it makes perfect sense that we make some minor adjustments and do our best to comply with GDPR.
The report sent to PSHG Members included more information about GDPR and what the PSHG has done and will do to prepare:
- Definitions and possible interpretations
- Rights of DNA project members
- FamilyTreeDNA Announcement & Changes
- PSHG Privacy Statement
- DO’s for DNA Project Admins
- DON’Ts for DNA Project Admins
- Personal Data Held by Administrators
Please visit our Goals & Membership page to see our new privacy statement.
Please contact the Group Administrator if you have any questions related to GDPR and the PSHG.
References:
Peter Staple Heritage Group (PSHG) 