FTC watching 23andMe bankruptcy sale for impact on users’ genetic data
- Thread starter JournalBot
- Start date
Bold of anyone to think the current FTC actually gives a flying fuck about the privacy of US citizens.
Upvote
122
(126
/
-4)
Their data tools still seem to be intact and functioning. I downloaded all of my data over the past week and submitted a deletion request yesterday. So we'll see if it actually works or not ultimately.
Upvote
49
(49
/
0)
Just nuke the data. It's insane that private companies are keeping this kind of data on people anyway. I know they're "just" genotyping, but it's still crazy to me that people opt into this bullshit.
Upvote
61
(61
/
0)
"FTC: 23andMe buyer must honor firm’s privacy promises for genetic data"
To be clear, "must" doesn't mean the buyer will face harsh consequences for violating privacy. It means that a fine of one or two million dollars is part of the cost of the purchase.
To be clear, "must" doesn't mean the buyer will face harsh consequences for violating privacy. It means that a fine of one or two million dollars is part of the cost of the purchase.
Upvote
70
(71
/
-1)
This might be more comforting if it wouldn't be cleared up by a campaign contribution to the right party.
Upvote
27
(27
/
0)
"You better play by the rules or we'll fine you a week's pay!*"
* Of your lowest-paid employee.
* Of your lowest-paid employee.
Upvote
22
(23
/
-1)
Gotta go after things people REALLY need first... Education, healthcare, social security...
Upvote
19
(19
/
0)
Never hurts to make the request anyway but bear in mind that your data might permanently be exposed.
Upvote
18
(18
/
0)
There are still many well-meaning people working at these places trying to keep their heads down and do their jobs right. For now. As much as they ever were allowed to do the job "right".
Upvote
11
(11
/
0)
Well, lucky thing Musk is busy making sure FTC will be irrelevant by the time any acquisition goes through.
Upvote
2
(3
/
-1)
I was given one of their kits as a gift a couple of years ago. I tried to not make a big deal out of it, but there was no way I was going to submit ANYTHING to any DNA company. A family member was p!ssed at me for not using it. Guess it was the smart choice.
Upvote
16
(16
/
0)
Things they've drawn binary animus against like the DoE face destruction; other things like the FTC are more useful co-opted and weaponized.
Upvote
12
(12
/
0)
Just Identified the next DOGE efficiency, firing Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew Ferguson.
Nothing can stand in the way of MAGA profits. /s
Nothing can stand in the way of MAGA profits. /s
Upvote
4
(4
/
0)
And in other news, a private equity firm seeks to spin off their interest in the Brooklyn Bridge via an IPO...
Upvote
5
(5
/
0)
Can't wait for Melon Husk to buy the data and revive some 30s science programs.
Upvote
12
(12
/
0)
I wouldn't trust that deleted information will stay deleted. IF 23 and Me followed good IT practices, there exist many months(years?) of backups. The new buyer could restore/merge those older backups with the current data files and PRESTO, your records are back! As has been mentioned in other articles on 23, a flaw in the business model was the one and done from each customer. Its not like customer 1234567's record changes after the results are initially returned. A year old record restored from backups is probably just as useful to a buyer as current data.
Upvote
12
(12
/
0)
Should have swabbed someone else and really fucked things up for everyone involved.
Upvote
5
(7
/
-2)
Already deleted my account after requesting my data,
For those wondering "why would anyone do this", there are valid reasonings for it.
My personal reason was for the DNA checking service, where they check your DNA and see if you're more or less likely for things. While it's not a diagnosis, if it says "higher likelihood of Type 2 Diabetes", it's probably something you can discuss with your doctor.
And realistically, it wasn't a terrible service. I just don't trust anyone buying the company to respect the privacy of such an insane data vault. Really... I'd go a step further. I'd force anyone with DNA like this to purge all records of customers before being bought out. This way, the value is in the technology to get the DNA, not the customer records itself.
For those wondering "why would anyone do this", there are valid reasonings for it.
My personal reason was for the DNA checking service, where they check your DNA and see if you're more or less likely for things. While it's not a diagnosis, if it says "higher likelihood of Type 2 Diabetes", it's probably something you can discuss with your doctor.
And realistically, it wasn't a terrible service. I just don't trust anyone buying the company to respect the privacy of such an insane data vault. Really... I'd go a step further. I'd force anyone with DNA like this to purge all records of customers before being bought out. This way, the value is in the technology to get the DNA, not the customer records itself.
Upvote
8
(9
/
-1)
Once you've purged all the data, what is there left to sell? Possibly a few old sequencers, but I expect the technology moves on quite quick; maybe a data center, but probably only a cloud contract; and a website, without a business model.
Upvote
7
(7
/
0)
Jokes on them. My data is already getting sold by California through the state biobank.
I only knew about this cause I had to request a birth certificate and they informed me of the data they had.
I only knew about this cause I had to request a birth certificate and they informed me of the data they had.
Upvote
7
(7
/
0)
How's that my problem?
That sounds like an issue the companies gotta deal with. If DNA stuff like this isn't profitable without selling data to advertisers, then it shouldn't be a business.
I don't have any pity for bigger companies like this. As a customer, my privacy shouldn't be for sale because a company failed financially.
Upvote
10
(10
/
0)
No worries! Your privacy is for sale from companies doing well, too.
Upvote
9
(9
/
0)
If they have your genetic data, in a country where there is no GDPR type laws, and the rule of law currently appears to be optional, it probably is your problem.
Selling your genetic data to advertisers may be the least of your problems, your insurers and employers might well be interested in a genetic opinion of you.
Upvote
9
(9
/
0)
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CFH/DGDS/Pages/cbp/default.aspx
Luckily my kids are old enough that they're not included. But then, you sound old enough too. Do you mind telling me your birth year (and mother's maiden name)?
But my wife signed the kids up for that kidnapping database that includes photos and fingerprints. I don't remember if it involved a cheek swap or not.
Upvote
2
(2
/
0)
Some of us with more than one genetic disorder have had our dna uploaded to "every scientific database doing any research on any of the crap I was born with" so we could hopefully help the world gain a better understanding of the crap we were born with. It's like donating your body to science without having to die first.
Uploading to private commercial company to gain a slightly better understanding of which groups of people in the past managed to successfully fuck until you were the result is, to me, as creepy as it is pointless - so, in that part I agree with you.
Upvote
8
(8
/
0)
I'm sure you'll get a confirmation that the data is gone.
I'm equally sure your data won't be touched.
the vast majority of their revenue came from being able to trace the genealogy of your DNA with the DNA of others - largely others who are still alive today. So the lion's share of the VALUE of the company rests on that data being there. A buyer is probably wanting that data, and won't pay much if they don't get it.
The rank and file of 23andMe are fucked, but the c-levels are going to go all in on getting their payouts. That means the data won't be deleted.
The worst part is that there's no way to verify if they actually honor your delete request. And I expect they know that.
Upvote
5
(5
/
0)