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Privacy Policy for Genealogy Blurring Tool

Effective Date: June 18th 2024
Last Updated: July 5th 2026

1. Introduction

Genealogy Blurring Tool is a free browser extension published by Genea Research, a Canadian company (referred to in this policy as “we,” “our,” and “us”). It blurs sensitive details on genealogy websites so you can take privacy safe screenshots and screen recordings. This Privacy Policy explains how the extension handles your data. The short version: it runs entirely on your own computer, it collects no personal information, and nothing you see on the page ever leaves your browser.

The extension complies with the terms of service of the sites it works with. It does not modify data beyond what any person using the site could do, and it only changes how pages appear on your own device, similar to a screen reader.

2. Information We Collect

The extension has no accounts, no sign up, no email collection, and no payment. It does not collect any personal information, and it does not collect analytics, usage statistics, telemetry, or technical data such as your IP address, browser type, or operating system. There is no tracking of any kind.

3. Local Processing and Storage

Everything the extension does happens on your own computer. To apply the blur, it reads the genealogy page you are viewing to find the elements to hide, such as names, DNA match details, profile photos, and notes. That page content is only read in your browser to blur it. It is never copied, saved, or sent anywhere.

The only things stored on your device are:

  • Your settings, such as whether blurring is on and which categories of content to blur.
  • Any custom blur locations you create, which consist of the on page location you selected, the website it applies to, and a label you choose.

This information is kept in your browser only. It is never synced or uploaded.

4. Information That Leaves Your Device

The extension makes a single kind of network request. A few times a day it downloads a small configuration file from our server. This tells the extension where to apply blurring as the supported sites change their layouts. This is a one way download. No personal information and no page content is sent. As with any web request, our server may record standard technical information such as your IP address and browser version in its logs.

5. Third-Party Services

None. The extension loads no third party scripts, uses no analytics or advertising services, and has no payment processor. Note that the browser stores you install from (the Chrome Web Store and Microsoft Edge Add-ons) may collect their own installation and usage data under their own policies.

6. How We Use and Share Your Information

Because the extension does not collect any personal information, there is nothing for us to use, share, or sell. We do not sell data, use it for advertising, or use it to train AI models.

7. Data Security

The configuration download uses an encrypted HTTPS connection. Because all of your data stays on your own device, its security depends on the security of your computer and browser. No system can be guaranteed completely secure.

8. Data Retention

Your settings and custom blur locations remain on your device until you remove them or uninstall the extension. We do not retain any data about you, because we never receive any.

9. Permissions

The extension asks for the browser permissions it needs to work:

  • Access to specific genealogy websites: so it can apply blurring on the pages you are viewing. It only runs on the sites listed below, not on the web at large.
  • Active tab and scripting: to apply and remove the blur on the page you are currently on.
  • Storage: to save your settings and custom blur locations on your device.
  • Alarms: to schedule the periodic configuration download.

10. What websites does Genealogy Blurring Tool interact with?

The extension only runs on the following DNA and family history sites:

The extension works in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.

11. Children’s Privacy

Genealogy Blurring Tool is intended for adult family history researchers and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect any information from children.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the extension or for legal or operational reasons. We will post any changes on this page and update the “Last Updated” date above.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.genea.ca

By using the extension, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.