Thanks Pootle for posting the link to my blog.
Yes, we have built extensive (but not unique) privacy features into the Findmypast Family Tree. And these are similar to most of the other sites too. Some elements are still in development (such as searching for tree matches), but here is a list of the privacy options you can have.
The tree can be set to public or private. This has pretty much the same definition as found on other tree websites.
Public means that anyone who has a link to your tree can view the details. You cannot default to Show Living AND Public. But you can set this option on a per user basis through the Tree Shares list.
Private means that other users will be able to search for a tree match, but will require your permission to view the detail. This is identical to Genes Reunited as we have at the moment.
There are other privacy elements that are worth noting. Any fact, event, note, source can be set to private, and these will NEVER show to other users when they are giving access to view your tree.
Where Hide Living is set, then all details about that person are removed from the view, and the only indication is of a male or female person, and their name is changed to Hidden. So you can see the shape of a family group, but no more.
This also applies to family facts, such as marriage, etc. If either person is still living, the details are not shown.
If you want to follow the progress of the Findmypast family tree, then do dip into my blog
http://pgmoir.wordpress.com/ . We were one year old this week, and I believe certainly something to take a look at, if you haven't already tried it. And any suggestions are always welcome.