DNA Testing Companies Share Data with Third Parties
| DNA Testing Companies Share Data with Third Parties | |
|---|---|
| Short Title | DNA Testing Companies Collect Genetic Data Not Only to Provide the Service |
| Location | Global |
| Date | November 2017 |
| Solove Harm | Aggregation, Identification, Exposure, Secondary Use |
| Information | Identifying, Medical and Health |
| Threat Actors | DNA testing companies |
| Individuals | |
| Affected | Individuals that use DNA testing services |
| High Risk Groups | |
| Tangible Harms | Anxiety, Loss of Trust, Changed Behavior |
DNA testing companies, such as 23andme, Ancestry, Helix, and a series of others use genetic data for research as well as to share with third parties.
Description
23andme, Ancestry, Helix, and a series of other DNA requesting companies use data subject's DNA not only to provide DNA testing services, as users might expect but also for their studies, research and for sharing with third parties. Secondary Use For example, 23andme stated that the real goal of the company is to collect as much genetic data as possible Aggregation. Their privacy policy (as well as the one from Ancestry.com) also states that they will share this information with third parties without further consent. Exposure They claim that the shared information will be aggregated and therefore anonymized. However, it still remains DNA, which is the most unique information for an individual.
Laws and Regulations
Sources
https://vitals.lifehacker.com/what-you-should-know-before-you-gift-someone-a-dna-test-1820774515