Memories marked Private are NOT private?
While helping someone I discovered that memories marked "Private" are available to anyone the owner allows to HELP them - was this an intentional allowance by FamilySearch? If so, then it appears the Visibility display message may need modification, and rather than "Only you can see this memory", maybe "Only you and your Helper can see this memory". If not, then it appears programming should be completed to disallow Helpers visibility of Private memories.
Answers
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When someone is helping you, that person is you and sees the website exactly as you see it including all the information on your profile page and all your living profile pages. About the only things a helper can't do is change your settings or send Chat messages.
Look at this way. Allowing a helper access is just like having the person sit in a chair next to you while you are signed into FamilySearch. They can see everything on the screen that you can see.
If you would not want a person sitting in that chair next to you, then don't grant that person helper access.
This banner also just says "you" but helpers can see and edit everything here as well:
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(not a policy statement) I would understand that allowing a Helper to sign into my account, much like letting IT in on your regular home and work computer - they would see anything and every thing that you can see.
While acting as a helper you are standing proxy for the patron that 'let you in'; one can see all and find issues that the user may not recognize. While there, the helper should make no changes that the patron cannot make themselves or does not expressly authorize Helper to do.
I.E.: do not sign on as a Helper, then go in and do FS work, sourcelinker, add memories, edit, etc. in the name of the Patron.
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@Jack Hern You are welcome to your personal opinion. But what you suggest would place limitations on what a helper can do that many would disagree with. Those being helped often hope that the helper will indeed make changes on their behalf.
I certainly agree that a helper and the person being helped should discuss and agree upon what things the helper will do. But in many cases, making changes will be an appropriate part of what they agree upon.
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The help article What can I do while signed in as a helper? clarifies that when you are signed in as a helper, then you can do most things on FamilySearch as if you were that person. It lists many things such as seeing and editing information in Family Tree, including living persons (which are otherwise private). It also notes that you can manage that person's memories (which of course includes their private memories).
There are all sorts of statements in the User Interface (such as those about private memories noted in the original post, or those about living and confidential profiles in Family Tree) and also in the help system that make statements along the lines of "only you can see" your private memories or profiles. But the helper mode exceptions to those statements are not noted in all those places. If those exceptions had to be noted in all those places, that would create awkward wording, especially since Helper Mode is available only to a relatively small fraction of FamilySearch users. The help article I linked to above explains the exceptions, and anyone who allows another user to help them, or who helps another, should responsibly be aware of the exceptions.
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During the adding of memories, it appears that FamilySearch is clearly concerned that the burden be placed upon the user for determining what is Private and what is Public. It would appear to be prudent to make that clear in the article mentioned by @Alan E. Brown; maybe add a note, at least in the "What can you do" section related to "Private memories", e.g. the helper CAN "Upload, tag, link, and manage memories" could be expanded to, "Upload, tag, link, and manage memories, including those marked Private".
Most users will not be adding anything considered Private anyway, but since the default while uploading is marked Private, some will be marked Private in error, so helpers are needed to help out here. Also, most users have no idea what helpers can or cannot do, so having the article updated, as suggested, would assist helpers to be clear with users about what the helper is allowed to do while helping.
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