If 23andMe Is Up for Sale, So Is All That DNA (msn.com)
- Reference: 0175145647
- News link: https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/09/27/208242/if-23andme-is-up-for-sale-so-is-all-that-dna
- Source link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/if-23andme-is-up-for-sale-so-is-all-that-dna/ar-AA1rl1V1
> 23andMe's trove of genetic data might be its most valuable asset. For about two decades now, since human-genome analysis became quick and common, the A's, C's, G's, and T's of DNA have allowed long-lost relatives to connect, revealed family secrets, and helped police catch serial killers. Some people's genomes contain clues to what's making them sick, or even, occasionally, how their disease should be treated. For most of us, though, consumer tests don't have much to offer beyond a snapshot of our ancestors' roots and confirmation of the traits we already know about. 23andMe is floundering in part because it hasn't managed to prove the value of collecting all that sensitive, personal information. And potential buyers may have very different ideas about how to use the company's DNA data to raise the company's bottom line. This should concern anyone who has used the service.
[1] https://slashdot.org/story/24/01/31/1532255/23andmes-fall-from-6-billion-to-nearly-0
[2] https://slashdot.org/story/24/09/18/1931220/23andme-board-resigns-in-new-blow-to-dna-testing-company
[3] https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/if-23andme-is-up-for-sale-so-is-all-that-dna/ar-AA1rl1V1
I'm so glad I never gave them anything (Score:2)
I'm glad I was never foolish enough to give them any of my DNA.
That's not to say they don't have it, if any relatives of mine ever gave them theirs.
Re: (Score:2)
> I'm glad I was never foolish enough to give them any of my DNA.
> That's not to say they don't have it, if any relatives of mine ever gave them theirs.
They absolutely could pinpoint you.
Just don't murder anyone, okay?
Re: (Score:2)
> Just don't murder anyone, okay?
Or say "Trump is a fink"
Once again a reminder if you give your DNA out (Score:4, Insightful)
The cops can get it without a warrant. These companies are more than happy to hand anything the cops ask for out no questions asked.
That's all well and good until you catch a murder charge because your cousin was near a crime scene and now suddenly you were spending two or $300,000 on lawyers so you don't end up in jail for 25 years to life. Hell Missouri just executed a man they knew was innocent.
If you want to know something about your genetics go see a doctor and have your DNA sequenced under proper HIPAA regulations.
Re: Once again a reminder if you give your DNA out (Score:2)
"under proper HIPAA regulations" I think you confuse the world's of de jure and de facto. De jure, HIPAA would protect this data if it was clinical. De facto, the whole thing might one day be posted up for public consumption on a victim shaming site by a ransomware gang. You'll get free credit monitoring for a year in return when this happens. Also at this point, pre existing law enforcement databases of DNA (along with academic ones) is enough to pinpoint most people down to 1st-degree family members.
Ransomeware gangs don't worry me as much (Score:2)
because none of the evidence in a leak like that would be admissible in court.
Not that it isn't a concern, but I can't skip going to a doctor just because of that.
What I can skip is pointless nonsense like 23andme.
And if I'm not in their DB then they can't pin it to me. Yes, they can subpoena doctors, but not for "all the DNA you have". They would need a more specific subpoena.
What worries me is getting caught in a dragnet, especially when I've seen John Oliver's bit on police interrogations
Re: (Score:2)
Unfortunately, HIPAA is primarily focused on corporate data sharing, not personal data privacy. They make it more difficult for individuals to get their own information than for corporations to get all of yours.
And it's gonna sell for pennies. (Score:3)
Your DNA isn't that valuable.
--BUT BUT!!! HEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANIES!!!
That's illegal. They can't do what you are thinking.
--BUT BUT!!! THEY CAN LOBBY TO CHANGE THE LAW!!!
Even if they did that successfully, your DNA isn't that valuable. This is literally the lesson 23&Me learned and why they are bankrupt.
Re: And it's gonna sell for pennies. (Score:2)
I would argue the answers to security questions available on 23andme are more valuable than the DNA. Mother's maiden name? Grandfather's first name? Easy!
Re: (Score:2)
23&Me didn't. That's what got them in hot water!
Re: And it's gonna sell for pennies. (Score:2)
Genealogy based security questions are still used all the time at major banks. I am one of the younger posters on this site, a millennial!
Re: (Score:2)
> Genealogy based security questions are still used all the time at major banks.
But in that case it's not necessary to give banks the real names of your relatives.
I have never used the actual names of my parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, teachers, or even pets. I make shit up, and then put it into an encrypted password manager.
Re: (Score:2)
HA! That is probably correct!
Re: (Score:3)
> That's illegal. They can't do what you are thinking.
Since when has that stopped corporate America. I believe you meant to say:
That's illegal. They can't admit to doing what you are thinking.
Submit PII request (Score:2)
Time to submit them PII data deletion requests.
I will scrape my data soon (Score:2)
All the messages and responses I have sent to people... Lots of good info I didn't copy down yet.
Download a fresh copy of my DNA data.
I'm wondering if I should go to FamilyTree or Ancestry.
Department of Justice (Score:3)
I hear the Department of Justice is in on the bidding. ;)