

Here is a relevant paragraph - but I feel it does not cover all the private profiles included in merges requested:
Occasionally the Geni system may automatically assign management of private profiles, for example when a relative closes his/her account or has been inactive for a long period of time. We feel this is an important mechanism to ensure that private profiles are looked after by an active user who can respond to requests to edit, delete or merge those profiles. If, however, you do not want to be considered when the system searches for active users who may become managers of their relatives' profiles, you may opt out of this feature:
Time will tell.