* FH V6 My Heritage Hints

[ikas]

I repeat that I think Calico Pie's response is encouraging. Many companies would have circumvented or blanked the issue. I think their response suggests that they are already reconsidering their implentation of this potentially useful funcionality and hopefully will rectify the main issue - living people - promptly.

[makfai]

The main issue for me is that, as far as I am concerned, the data which was on my private computer was supplied to myheritage without my informed consent.

Informed consent is described by the ICO here
https://ico.org.uk/media/for-organisati ... idance.pdf and here
https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/gu ... rocessing/

Opt-in is Calicopie's default option. There is inadequate information supplied on what the implications are for not opting-out of 'Enable Internet Data Matching'. It does not state that the default position automatically supplies data to myheritage without further specific authorisation being sought while in FH. In fact it does not even mention myheritage.

There is no need for the option to be activated at the install stage. It could be done by the user in TOOLS. However, placing it in the install function is disingenuous. It capitilises on tne fact that people will mostly install everything suggested particularly the way this option was worded.

Frankly, this is a marketing strategy for myheritage and more inormation on its implications should have been disclosed. In addition, as this is marketing, the default position should have been opt-out.

[makfai]

If you were to opt-out at the installation stage would that option still be installed but merely switched off?

[tatewise]

Yes.

[makfai]

Yes.

Thanks.

So including the option at the install stage provides no benefit for the user but only the service provider and MH who may 'trap' unwitting users into 'opting-in'.

[jimlad68]

I think most people would be in agreement, it should be opt in not opt out. We will have to wait for the next update to see if it has changed. I presume Calico are aware of the concern.

We do not know what agreement there is between FH and Myheritage. Would be interesting to see how it works with other products using Myheritage in a similar way.

[makfai]

I think most people would be in agreement, it should be opt in not opt out. We will have to wait for the next update to see if it has changed. I presume Calico are aware of the concern.

We do not know what agreement there is between FH and Myheritage. Would be interesting to see how it works with other products using Myheritage in a similar way.

I got caught out which annoys me no end because I am usually so alert to these types of 'tricks' to install marketing/adware type addons in the form of toolbars/search engines etc! Having been with FH since the start I had built up confidence in them even recommending them to others. I never thought to check that they might - as I see it - try to 'slip something past' customers.

Because of the trust built up over the years, I installed what was recommended by them without being aware of the immediate consequences. I thought I was just installing an option which I could later choose to use or not as suited me once I had earned more about the process. I had not realised that what I was agreeing to was not the INSTALLATION (this would take place no matter what I chose) but the ACTIVATION of that option.

I blame myself to some extent for not being more observant and for blindly trusting Calico Pie. Equally, I think the company failed to provide adequate information to customers to allow all customers to make informed decisions.

It may seem a bit trite but I feel you develop a personal 'relationship' between the tools you use for genealogy. Perhaps, because the whole process involves family. Overall, I feel extremely disappointed that my confidence and loyalty has been undermined.

[Morvran]

I agree with a lot of what has been said in this thread. As a FH user since purchasing a boxed v.2.1 years ago and all of its subsequent upgrades, I wasn't expecting anything like this and got caught unawares during installation of the upgrade. It should have been opt-in, not opt-out.

[cageywoolf]

I have followed this thread with interest... I agree entirely that such links should be on an Opt-In basis. However, I am very much a novice with both Family History and Family Historian and consequently any assistance is always welcome.

I was aware of 'Internet Data Matching' from the pre-release advertising and recognised that 'Matching' implies an 'Exchange' of data. I did see the Option on installation and deliberately left it 'On'... I need all the Hints I can get!!

Perhaps because of an historical background in the computer industry, the security/privacy risk was no surprise and something that I accepted as a necessary trade-off to get some much needed help. Way back in the 1960s I was 'indoctrinated' with the concept that any data, encrypted or not, would become 'public knowledge' within 20 minutes. With the advances in technology perhaps that should be 20 seconds these days!

My personal attitude is that data on any device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) that is ever connected to the Internet or a Wireless network is 'In the Public Domain'. Thus the additional risk for sharing data with MyHeritage is something that I accept in exchange for the help from 'Hints'. Probably naively, I even hope that the price of Family Historian v6 is a little lower because of the commercial agreement with MyHeritage. That said, an Opt-In on the first update please!

[makfai]

I have followed this thread with interest... I agree entirely that such links should be on an Opt-In basis. However, I am very much a novice with both Family History and Family Historian and consequently any assistance is always welcome.

I was aware of 'Internet Data Matching' from the pre-release advertising and recognised that 'Matching' implies an 'Exchange' of data. I did see the Option on installation and deliberately left it 'On'... I need all the Hints I can get!!

Perhaps because of an historical background in the computer industry, the security/privacy risk was no surprise and something that I accepted as a necessary trade-off to get some much needed help. Way back in the 1960s I was 'indoctrinated' with the concept that any data, encrypted or not, would become 'public knowledge' within 20 minutes. With the advances in technology perhaps that should be 20 seconds these days!

My personal attitude is that data on any device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) that is ever connected to the Internet or a Wireless network is 'In the Public Domain'. Thus the additional risk for sharing data with MyHeritage is something that I accept in exchange for the help from 'Hints'. Probably naively, I even hope that the price of Family Historian v6 is a little lower because of the commercial agreement with MyHeritage. That said, an Opt-In on the first update please!

I am not against the function but I would like it to be an informed choice. I am critical of
- the lack of info at the decision stage:
- the fact that the decision is included at the install stage; and
- the default being opt-in.

As the decision was part of the installation process I thought I was making a decision on whether or not to allow the installation of a specific part of the software which I could then choose to use or not. I thought if I opted-out then that function would not be installed. I now know that I was approving an activation of the function and that the installation of the function would take place no matter what I chose.

I do not see a value to a user of including this option at the installation stage - but I do see a value to Calico Pie and MyHeritage.

I do not agree 'that data on any device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) that is ever connected to the Internet or a Wireless network is 'In the Public Domain'.. I have a front door on my house to facilitate access but that doesn't mean anyone can come in and take what they want!

[cageywoolf]

I do not agree 'that data on any device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) that is ever connected to the Internet or a Wireless network is 'In the Public Domain'.. I have a front door on my house to facilitate access but that doesn't mean anyone can come in and take what they want!

In a perfect world yes. Perhaps I did not make it clear that my strange attitude is because 'hacking', by both States and Criminals, is so prevalent that there is a very real danger that your locked front door can be picked and all within is then at risk. I am, of course, totally paranoid about computer security but... to adapt Jane's lovely little footnote about Knowledge and Wisdom...

The fact that I am paranoid does not mean that they are not out to get me.

Sorry about the double negatives.

[makfai]

I do not agree 'that data on any device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) that is ever connected to the Internet or a Wireless network is 'In the Public Domain'.. I have a front door on my house to facilitate access but that doesn't mean anyone can come in and take what they want!

In a perfect world yes. Perhaps I did not make it clear that my strange attitude is because 'hacking', by both States and Criminals, is so prevalent that there is a very real danger that your locked front door can be picked and all within is then at risk. I am, of course, totally paranoid about computer security but... to adapt Jane's lovely little footnote about Knowledge and Wisdom...

The fact that I am paranoid does not mean that they are not out to get me.

Sorry about the double negatives.

I accept that the data on my computer is at risk but that does not mean that it is in the public domain.