IndianFamilyTree.com — Data Deletion & Legacy Account Policy

2.Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to:

• Registered user accounts
• Family tree records
• Memorial pages
• Uploaded photographs
• Documents
• Stories
• Comments
• Contributions
• Legacy accounts

3.User Rights Regarding Their Personal Data

Subject to applicable laws, including the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 (DPDP Act), users may request:

• Access to their personal data
• Correction of inaccurate information
• Withdrawal of consent
• Deletion of personal data
• Closure of their account

Requests will be processed after reasonable verification of identity.

4.Account Deletion Request

Users may request deletion of their account through account settings, a written request, or an email request to our support team. Deletion requests should include:

• Registered email address
• User name
• Account details
• Verification information

5.What Happens When an Account Is Deleted

When a verified deletion request is approved, Personal Account Information (name, email address, phone number, login information, profile information) may be deleted or anonymized. Users may request removal of their User-Generated Content — photos, stories, documents, personal uploads, and comments. Because genealogy information represents relationships among multiple individuals, deletion of Family Tree Information requires careful handling: the user's account may be removed and their personal profile information deleted or anonymized, but family relationships already incorporated into a shared tree may be preserved where appropriate. Other family members' information will not automatically be deleted.

6.Family Tree Preservation After Account Deletion

IndianFamilyTree.com recognizes that deleting one account should not erase generations of family history. If a user who contributed parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and children to a shared tree deletes their account, their account information may be removed, historical family records may remain if contributed by multiple users or designated as family heritage information, and other family administrators may continue managing the family tree.

7.Memorial Pages and Deceased Persons

Memorial pages require special consideration. A memorial may include obituary information, photographs, life stories, family relationships, and tributes. A request to delete a memorial may require:

• Proof of relationship
• Authorization from family representatives
• Consideration of other contributors

IndianFamilyTree.com may preserve historical memorial records where appropriate while respecting legitimate family requests.

8.Legacy Accounts

A Legacy Account is an account that continues to preserve family history after the original creator is no longer active. Legacy accounts help protect family trees, historical records, photographs, stories, and memorials. Users may designate a trusted person as a Legacy Manager. Examples include:

• Spouse
• Child
• Sibling
• Relative
• Trusted family representative

9.Legacy Manager Responsibilities

A Legacy Manager may maintain the family tree, add historical information, approve contributors, update memorial records, manage privacy settings, and preserve family documents. A Legacy Manager may not:

• Misrepresent family history
• Remove legitimate family members
• Abuse access privileges
• Publish private information improperly

10.Selecting a Legacy Contact

Users may optionally provide the name, relationship, email address, and authorization preferences of a Legacy Contact. The Legacy Contact may be activated after confirmation of the user's incapacity or death, or other verification procedures established by IndianFamilyTree.com.

11.Inactive Accounts

An account may become inactive due to long-term non-use, failure to access the account, or a user request. IndianFamilyTree.com may send reminders, offer account recovery options, preserve family records, and apply retention policies. We will not automatically delete valuable family history without appropriate notice.

12.Death of an Account Holder

If an account holder passes away, family members may request Account Transfer (transfer management to an approved Legacy Manager), Memorial Conversion (convert the profile into a memorial or historical family record), or Account Closure (request removal of personal information). Requests may require:

• Proof of relationship
• Death certificate or public notice
• Authorization documentation

13.Data Retention

IndianFamilyTree.com retains information only as long as necessary for providing services, maintaining family history, legal compliance, resolving disputes, and protecting platform integrity. Certain historical information may be retained in anonymized or archival form.

14.Backup and Technical Copies

Due to technical systems, backups may temporarily contain deleted information. Complete removal from all backup systems may take reasonable time. Deleted information will not be used except where required for security, legal, or operational purposes.

15.Exporting Family Data

Before deleting an account, users may request export of available information including family tree data, photos, documents, and stories. Export availability may depend on technical limitations, privacy rights of other individuals, and legal requirements.

16.Dispute Resolution

Family members may disagree about deleting a family tree, removing ancestral information, managing memorials, or controlling historical records. IndianFamilyTree.com may:

• Temporarily restrict changes
• Preserve previous versions
• Request documentation
• Facilitate fair review

17.Protection Against Unauthorized Deletion

To protect family heritage, IndianFamilyTree.com may require additional verification before deleting large family trees, historical records, popular memorial pages, or shared family archives.

18.Privacy and Security

Deletion requests and account changes are protected through identity verification, secure communication, access controls, and audit records.

19.Contact for Deletion Requests

For account deletion, legacy requests, or privacy concerns, please reach out to us at:

• IndianFamilyTree.com Data Protection Support
• Email: support@indianfamilytree.com
• Grievance Officer: Thomas Vellaringattu
• Address: 15166 SE Aston Loop, Portland, Oregon 97236, USA

20.Our Commitment

A person's digital presence may end, but their story can continue. IndianFamilyTree.com is committed to respecting individual privacy while preserving the memories, relationships, and histories that connect generations. Accounts may expire. Memories should endure. Family legacies should continue.