Could we have a power of attorney for WikiTree profiles?

Question

Again yesterday I received an e-mail from a third cousin who was trying to get her brother to upload his DNA information to WikiTree.  It is frustrating!  I imagine many of us have relatives whose DNA information is useful, even essential, to our DNA confirmations.  But so often, the relative, while willing to help, just doesn't have the time or interest needed to get his information onto WikiTree.  Why must it be so hard?  Why can't they sign over their rights to us (if they trust us, of course), so that the information can be posted to their profiles?

Answer 1

I agree!! I have talked a couple of people (including my husband) into registering solely to add DNA information. I have several other relatives who have taken a DNA test but do not have the time or inclination to join just to add their DNA information. They would gladly allow me to do it if we could use a DNA POA or some kind of permission form.

Comments

I wonder if a legal Medical POA would be allowed by WT.  If it's legal "in the world", why would it not also be legal here?

(I'm presuming something such as DNA would fall under medical.)

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Hmmm.  What Virginia and I are talking about is relatives who are not inclined to join WikiTree.  They have made us their DNA managers for Ancestry and GEDmatch purposes, etc.  I really don't see why WikiTree feels it must be so much stricter than GEDmatch.

Joining WikiTree may only take a few minutes.  If you're computer literate and motivated.  But for people who have a thousand things to do that only take a few minutes each (don't we all?), that is never going to rise to the top of their priority list.

Medical POAs, as I recall, say nothing about the distribution of DNA information, and many people don't have them anyway.

Answer 2

I suspect the answer is, as so many things are, Wikitree doesn't wanna get sued.

Comments

If someone registers for an account and adds the data themselves, we know they gave consent to display that data. We can't guarantee that a third party actually has permission to add the data on someone else.

Answer 3

One of WikiTree’s reactions to GDPR was:

“ 1.) Set all profiles of living people as Unlisted unless they are a member, at least temporarily.

You could still choose the privacy level for your own account profile, but not for anyone else.

Later we might be able to allow profiles of living non-members to have public information again if a member will certify that they have explicit permission from the person, or that the person is a celebrity and the profile is based on information they have made public, etc. We don't know yet and will have to proceed carefully.”

If a living person makes you the manager of their profile then I suggest WikiTree should allow you (as the manager) to be able change that living person’s profile to: Private with Public Biography and Family Tree. WikiTree could include a statement for the living person that by selecting the manager, the living person is stating that they are giving the manager explicit permission to be able to change the privacy level.

Comments

One thought is if an unlisted living person has not joined WikiTree then they can’t make you the manager.  I suggest the join invitation include the name WikiTree member who sent the join invitation and by accepting the invitation, the living person can accept you as the manager.

And by accepting the join invitation they could grant that manager explicit (legal) permission to add their DNA information?