the Bankruptcy Genome Personal Company 23andme It is the title that penetrated the good heel fog in the business world-of course, its existential effects on millions of genetic information of the Americans. The company, which was established in San Francisco 2006, and after it has served 15 million people so far, is one of a handful of genetic tests that its customers sent in a cotton swab of their saliva.
This small DNA sample can be used to create a set of comprehensive reports on a person’s origin, genetic health risks, and even how to treat some medications. Earlier this week, 23andme announced that it will provide bankruptcy procedures, Chapter 11, which will include the sale of the most sensitive biological data for these consumers to the highest bid.
This raises a huge question: Who wants to buy your DNA, and why?
If you hope that 23andme may be represented in a long set of buyers who want to use data to finally treat cancer, companies and agencies that are likely to be concerned with 23andme data are a list of washing from policemen, emerging companies from artificial intelligence and pharmaceutical companies. And because the DNA and their collection by genetic test companies are not so Reserve Under the HIPAA (HIPAA) Act – Privacy Laws that set strong standards for service providers and insurance companies with medical data – sensitive genetic information for users is at risk of weapons to any number of nefarious parties as well.
“The data can be used and reused for a number of efforts to target the consumer – from marketing and advertising to extortion,” said Rene Westcott, Blackbird.ai’s chief intelligence analyst.
Darren Williams, an expert in data privacy and founder of the anti -virus program, told the salon in an email that the genetic data of 23andme can be used “to steal identity or other malicious purposes, and perhaps for years.”
Law enforcement agencies have long shown interest in the company’s DNA arrow.
As we mentioned, 23andme customers pay the price of service online, then the company sent a swab of their saliva. In addition to the genetic information of the customers, 23ndme is in possession of other very sensitive data, “broad questionnaires and additional data data about individuals,” said Erika Gray, co -founder and chief medical official in Genomies, Salon tools.
“While the common genetic industry practices, 23andme, keeps canceling its raw data, there is a risk of re -identifying the data that is not specified with the correct inputs, especially with the broad 23ndme surveys and” finding your relative’s advantage. “
Adnté Pointer, a civil rights lawyer in Auckland, told SALON that law enforcement agencies “along the way from the local to the state to the federal government” could be “very interested” in 23andme of genetic information. “The ability to access 23andme gives them a larger database of genetic information currently to match the potential suspect, the victim, or even a witness to a specific incident they achieve,” the indicator.
Those who sent their genetic samples to 23andme “may have gave up the right to emphasize that constitutional interests in the database or sample,” said an indicator, and perhaps relinquishing the special concessions “that are overlooked” often. ”
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The index added: “I imagine that in the approval form, there is a language that allows 23andme, subsidiaries, or accidental companies, or even a company that buys 23andme assets (including the DNA database), to use these data as you can see appropriate.”
The indicator is not strange to the use of law enforcement of genetic information from other sources. In 2022, a woman liked the DNA in a rape group was later used to be arrested six years later to steal the retail. The prosecutor, who was determined as Jinn, said that before submitting a sample of DNA to the San Francisco Police Department, the authorities confirmed that they would use DNA.Only to investigate her sexual assaultThe salon index said in the end, as the case settled outside the court, as the Ministry of Energy paid about $ 200,000 by the city.
An index said that the genetic data of customers can be attractive to companies that serve law enforcement agencies-which have a “ready-made customer base” for agencies already equipped to process genetic information.
Law enforcement agencies have long shown interest in the company’s DNA arrow. 23ndme 15 received law enforcement requests between 2015 and 2024, Deny All of them. This policy may change, depending on the one who buys that data from selling 23andme from selling business.
Outside the application of the law, Artificial intelligence companies Genetic information can be used to train their data sets. “Internet criminals are already using artificial intelligence to automate attacks, and large genetic data groups like these are new limits,” Beit Nikoliti, a cybersecurity expert and member of the FBI and Cyber Security Service.
Pharmaceutical companies and flour medicine companies Data can also be used to develop new drugs. This will not be the first time that 23ndme user data has been used by drug makers: In 2018, giant Glaxosmithkline was purchased 300 million dollar share In 23andme, in exchange for the ability to “Modify its genetic database for new treatments“
“Governments and organizers must intervene now – with clear protocols, independent control, and implemented guarantees – before changing any data.”
Another genetic test company may also be interested – although it is not possible, given that the demand for consumer I faded for DNA groups About the peak of the epidemic, in 2021. It is somewhat logical: those whose data has been analyzed really needs service only once, which means that there are a limited number of people who are likely to become customers.
“This data is likely to be of immediate value for drug developers and manufacturers, and therefore Pharma is a possible place to drop,” Westcott said. It is a moment of mocking nerves for consumers 23andme. In a large part of it, this data sale will not represent anything new for the market or private organizers.
“This is not new in practice – user data is purchased and sold constantly without any user notification,” Wivkot explained. In 2020, Blackstone paid $ 4 billion in ANCESTRY.com-one year example.
But given that 23andme itself will be obtained in bankruptcy procedures, “the sale of genetic data has not been tested somewhat and not perceived for the land from a legal perspective, and the sale of consumer data in the United States historically, historically faced less than the organizational road barriers.”
In this sense, this moment also represents an opportunity to create a precedent from protecting strong consumer about sensitive biological data sales.
“Governments and organizers must intervene now – with clear protocols, independent control, and the implemented guarantee – before changing any hands data,” Nicoliti said. “Once this type of information leaks, there is forever.
It is not a lot of comfort, any of these buyers, who may eventually possess about 4.4 % of the genetic information of Americans – and the genetic information study of their relatives as well. There are many evidence to inform customers how to delete their data from 23andme before selling the company (here Evidence for brings found On how to cleanse your genetic information from its database.) But even for customers who do everything they can to protect themselves, they are still at risk.
“Although consumers may hope to delete genetic materials and not keep them by 23andme, this will be naive,” warned. “Once the information enters a database and is shared via servers or subsidiary companies, it may be found in multiple locations.”
In Utah, Gray and her mother were among many users who chose the data used in “search purposes”. “Unfortunately, for individuals like me and my family, the way the research contribution was filmed is that it will benefit society as a whole,” she said. Gray said that for users who chose to choose the search, the company was granted permission to “analyze our unlimited data and may be sold to third parties.”
In a message to the clients, 23andme said that its leadership will deal with the sale and “look forward to securing a partner who shares his commitment to the customer’s data privacy and will enhance its mission of reaching and understanding people and benefiting from the human genome.”
This does not mean much. She said: “23 & ME publicly committed to finding a buyer who participates in an interest in protecting the privacy of the customer’s data, but this is just a statement and does not link the potential buyer in any way.” A spokesman for 23ndme will not comment on NPR on what the company can do with its data beyond “public statements about its commitment to privacy.”
Amazingly, the company is still working normally – and still welcomes you to deliver your personal data. “23andme is still open to work,” he said in Open message For customers.
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