How do I report abuse, spam, inappropriate memories, and other content?

Article Id: 978
February 26, 2024

To report abuse or inappropriate content that, you encounter on FamilySearch with the Report Abuse feature.

If someone sends you unwanted messages, you can mute that person. After that, their messages to you are no longer be visible. See the information in Related articles for details.

What is considered abuse?

Abuse, in this case, is defined as any material saved on FamilySearch that is considered offensive or inappropriate, such as the following: 

  • Offensive language or content
  • Information that could harm or embarrass living relatives.
  • Links to external web pages with inappropriate content
  • Solicitations for businesses or research services
  • Harassment
  • Political statement
  • Copyright infringement

Abuse of FamilySearch also involves posting patriarchal blessings or official temple records in any of these places:

  • Discussions
  • Notes
  • Memories
  • Brief Life History

What is not considered abuse?

Errors or changes in records are not considered abuse. If you have questions regarding inadvertent or potentially malicious errors in records that you are unable to resolve, please contact FamilySearch Support.

Our core policy is defined in FamilySearch Rights and Use Information, found at the bottom of most pages on FamilySearch.

Steps (website)

  1. Go to a place on FamilySearch where you can report abuse:
    1. Tools: On the Person page of an individual, look under Tools for the Report Abuse link.
    2. Memory viewer: In the memory item viewer, look in the top-right corner for the Report Abuse link.
    3. Chat: Click the person's name next to a chat, and click Report Abuse.
  2. Fill in the required information, and click Submit. All reports remain confidential.

Steps (mobile app)

You can report an offensive message that you receive in FamilySearch Chat.

  1. Open the Family Tree app on your phone.
  2. Tap the menu icon.
    • On an Apple iOS device, tap the 3 parallel lines in the lower right corner.
    • On an Android device, tap the 3 parallel lines in the upper left corner.
  3. Tap Chat.
  4. Tap the chat that you want to report.
  5. In the top-right corner of the pop-out chat window, tap the 3 vertical dots, and then tap Report Abuse.
  6. Select the type of abuse.
  7. In the "Report" section, please explain your concern.
  8. Enter your email or phone number. One of these two options must be filled out to submit the report.
  9. Tap Submit.

Steps (Family Tree Lite)

Family Tree Lite lacks Report Abuse buttons. However, you can scroll to the bottom of any page and click Feedback and Support, then send us a message about abuse.

How do I mute, hide, or block someone from chatting with me?
What are the rules for discussions and chats?

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