Privacy Policy
Last updated: April 1, 2026
1. Information We Collect
We collect information you provide directly: name, email, profile photo, family tree data, photos, videos, messages, and any content you upload. We also collect usage data like device type, browser, and feature usage to improve the service.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your data to provide the Family Shell service: storing and displaying your content, enabling messaging, powering search, and generating family tree visualizations. We do not sell your personal data to advertisers or third parties.
3. Data Encryption
All messages in Family Shell are end-to-end encrypted. This means only the sender and recipient can read them — not even Family Shell staff. Photos and files are encrypted at rest and in transit using AES-256.
4. Data Sharing
We only share your data with your explicit consent, or when required by law. Your family data is only visible to the family members you invite. We use third-party services (cloud hosting, CDN) that process data on our behalf under strict data processing agreements.
5. Your Rights
Under GDPR and CCPA, you have the right to access, correct, export, and delete your data. You can export all your data at any time from Settings. To delete your account and all associated data, contact support@familyshell.com.
6. Cookies
We use essential cookies for authentication and session management. Optional analytics cookies help us understand usage patterns without identifying individual users. You can disable non-essential cookies in your browser settings.
7. Children's Privacy
Family Shell is designed for families, which may include children under 13. We collect minimal data from minors and require parental consent for accounts belonging to children under 13 in accordance with COPPA.
8. Data Retention
Your data is retained as long as your account is active. After account deletion, data is permanently removed from our servers within 30 days. Backups are retained for up to 90 days.
9. Contact
For privacy concerns, contact our Data Protection Officer at privacy@familyshell.com. We respond to all privacy requests within 30 days.