Gedmatch no longer accepting FTDNA kits

[endicott65]

Turf battle with GEDMatch

I strongly object to FTDNA's lawyers launching a pre-emptive strike against GEDMatch based on "privacy issues" which are no more serious than those which already exist on FTDNA. (1) the raw data belongs to each of us to do with what we wish - including posting it in Macy's window and (2) FTDNA's privacy protections are no more rigorous than GEDM's.

Simply put FTDNA seems more concerned that GEDM is somehow siphoning off business than it is with promoting DNA based genealogical research. If users can upload tests - for free - from several sites to a 3rd party site other than FTDNA, they are less likely to "transfer" tests to FTDNA at a significant cost. Whether or not this is true (I transferred an Ancestry test to FTDNA after I had used GEDM), FTDNA's position is anti-competitive and a disservice to genealogical researchers everywhere. They should cease and desist immediately.

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers..." Wm. Shakespeare

[endicott65]

FTDNA & GEDMatch

see also thread:

http://forums.familytreedna.com/showthread.php?p=423537&posted=1#post423537

[telly441]

New to gedmatch this morning

Posted on gedmatch.com this morning:

"We regret we had to make the decision to stop accepting FTDNA DNA uploads. FTDNA has threatened to sue GEDmatch over claimed privacy issues. We have been asked not to discuss the details, because it would be to FTDNA's disadvantage. Suffice it to say that FTDNA's own site seems to currently violate these same issues.

We would prefer to work closely with FTDNA in solving this problem to everybody's benefit, but we have not received a response to any of our suggested compromise solutions. The technical obstacles to satisfying FTDNA current demands are significant. It appears that our only alternative may be to remove all FTDNA DNA match results from GEDmatch. The issues raised by FTDNA do not apply to kits from other testing companies."

[gtc]

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers..." Wm. Shakespeare

FTDNA's lawyers are not autonomous; they act under instructions from FTDNA management.

[stev703]

Forget FTDNA!! Just do Ancestry or 23andme!

Gedmatch is 10 times the genealogical service that FTDNA ever will be.

BTW, If anyone knows of a reliable Y-DNA testing company please let me know.

[josh w.]

It has some limitations but what about DNA Land as a stopgap alternative.

[John McCoy]

What did I see when I brought up the FTDNA web site this morning? Something like "Genetic genealogy begins here"? Evidently, it also ends here.

[jonga]

I just logged in to GEDmatch and was horrified to see the message. Please FTDNA sort this out with GEDmatch so we can happily use both services again!

[Armando]

BTW, If anyone knows of a reliable Y-DNA testing company please let me know.

YSEQ and FullGenomes. You'll have to do a search of them. You should read the Anthrogenica posts on them.

[lolkha]

I think that when I payed for the test, it's up to me decide if I want to upload it to Gedmatch.
If FTDNA is concerned, they should publicly voice their concerns and let me decide, rather then threatening Gedmatch and keeping in secret details of the issue.

Putting on hold all pending tests. going to switch to Ancestry if it is not solved soon.

[lolkha]

I think that when I payed for the test, it's up to me decide if I want to upload it to Gedmatch.
If FTDNA is concerned, they should publicly voice their concerns and let me decide, rather then threatening Gedmatch and keeping in secret details of the issue.

Putting on hold all pending tests. going to switch to Ancestry if it is not solved soon.

[phx2128]

Until now it hadn't occurred to me that Gedmatch kits from FTDNA uploads use the FTDNA kit numbers. Others have been bringing it up on that Facebook post. Maybe FTDNA wants those Gedmatch kit numbers to be randomly generated instead.

If this is the case, FTDNAs logic is woefully inept as they post the FTDNA kit numbers publicly in all DNA projects. Additionally, what right do they have to limit users ability to use their DNA however they want. Remember, those that upload to Gedmatch to do so of their own free will. Effective immediately, I'm referring all my cousins to testing at Ancestry.

[lolkha]

Until now it hadn't occurred to me that Gedmatch kits from FTDNA uploads use the FTDNA kit numbers. Others have been bringing it up on that Facebook post. Maybe FTDNA wants those Gedmatch kit numbers to be randomly generated instead.

And why would I care about kit number being public? It's just a number.

[AFH]

This is disappointing hopefully they will resolve this issue soon otherwise I'll switch over to using Ancestry.

[wlk]

GEDmatch - threatened to be sued by FTDNA

GEDmatch published now: (Thursday afternoon):

We regret we had to make the decision to stop accepting FTDNA DNA uploads. FTDNA has threatened to sue GEDmatch over claimed privacy issues. We have been asked not to discuss the details, because it would be to FTDNA's disadvantage. Suffice it to say that FTDNA's own site seems to currently violate these same issues.

We would prefer to work closely with FTDNA in solving this problem to everybody's benefit, but we have not received a response to any of our suggested compromise solutions. The technical obstacles to satisfying FTDNA current demands are significant. It appears that our only alternative may be to remove all FTDNA DNA match results from GEDmatch. The issues raised by FTDNA do not apply to kits from other testing companies.