Privacy Policy
Last updated: December 2025
Family Tree Films (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information when you visit our website, communicate with us, or engage our services to create oral histories, family-history documentaries, interviews, and related media projects.
By using our website or our services, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
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1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of information:
A. Information You Provide Directly
• Name, email address, phone number, mailing address.
• Project details or inquiries submitted through our online forms or email.
• Media assets you provide (photos, documents, videos, names, genealogical details).
• Interview footage, recorded audio or video, and related materials you share during your project.
• Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors—we do not store full credit card numbers).
B. Automatically Collected Information
When you visit our website, certain data may be automatically collected:
• IP address, browser type, device type.
• Pages visited, time spent on site, referring pages.
• Cookies and similar technologies (see Section 6).
C. Information From Third Parties
We may receive data from:
• Payment processors.
• Social media platforms if you interact with us through them.
• Cloud-storage providers used to transfer files.
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2. How We Use Your Information
A. We use your information for the following purposes:
• To respond to inquiries and provide information about our services.
• To plan, produce, edit, and deliver your Family Tree Films project.
• To communicate updates and necessary information related to your project.
• To improve our website, services, and customer experience.
• To process payments and manage accounts.
• To maintain records for business and legal purposes.
• To send optional newsletters or updates (you may opt out at any time).
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B. Phone Number Privacy Policy:
• Use of Information: We use your phone number to send SMS messages regarding your inquiry and customer care related topics
• Mobile phone information or opt-in data collected will not be shared, sold, or disclosed to third parties or affiliates for marketing purposes.
• Opt-Out: Reply "STOP" to unsubscribe or "HELP" for assistance.
• Message Disclosures: Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.
• Data Security: Your data is protected and retained only as needed.
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3. Use of Client Films and Materials
A. Promotional Use
With your consent, we may use selected portions of your interview or film—such as short excerpts, still images, or anonymized clips—for promotional purposes on our website, social media, or marketing materials.
You may withdraw consent at any time, and we will stop using the material in future promotional content.
B. No Sale or Licensing of Your Footage
We will never sell, license, distribute, or share your interview footage, personal materials, or completed film with outside parties without your explicit written permission.
Your family’s stories remain your property. We treat them with complete confidentiality.
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4. AI and Automated Decision-Making
We do not use AI or automated decision-making to evaluate personal data or make decisions that impact you.
We may use basic AI-assisted tools (e.g., automated transcription or noise-reduction software) strictly to enhance production quality. These tools do not use your data for training and do not store or reuse your content.
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5. Data Sharing and Third Parties
We do not share, sell, or rent your personal information to third parties.
However, we may share limited information with trusted third-party service providers solely to operate and deliver our services, including:
• Video editing, transcription, or cloud-backup platforms.
• Website hosting, analytics, or email-delivery services.
• Payment processing companies.
These providers are required to protect your information and may not use it for any other purpose.
We may also share data if required by law, court order, or to prevent fraud or security threats.
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6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tools to improve your browsing experience. Cookies may be used to:
• Analyze website traffic and performance.
• Remember preferences or form inputs.
• Manage basic website functionality.
You can disable cookies through your browser settings, though parts of the site may not function correctly without them.
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7. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to:
• Complete your project.
• Maintain business and financial records.
• Comply with legal, tax, or regulatory obligations.
Raw footage, interview materials, and edited film files may be stored long-term as a backup unless you request deletion.
You may ask us at any time to delete or return your materials.
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8. Your Rights
Depending on your location, you may have rights including:
• Access to the personal data we hold.
• Correction of inaccuracies.
• Request deletion (“right to be forgotten”).
• Request a copy of your data.
• Withdraw consent for promotional use.
• Object to certain types of processing.
• Restrict or limit how your data is used.
To exercise any of these rights, simply contact us using the information below.
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9. Security
We take the security of your personal information and family materials seriously.
We use industry-standard technical, administrative, and physical safeguards designed to protect against:
• Loss
• Misuse
• Unauthorized access
• Disclosure
• Alteration or destruction of data
However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
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10. Children’s Privacy
Our services are intended for adults.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under age 13 without parental or guardian consent.
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11. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy occasionally.
Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date.
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12. Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or privacy requests, please contact:
Family Tree Films
P.O. Box 2244
Columbia, MD 21045
Phone: 410-449-4451
Email: info@familytreefilms.com
Website: www.familytreefilms.com