Government could use 23andMe data for national security, public health, or discriminatory practices.
The recent bankruptcy filing of 23andMe has ignited a firestorm of controversy and concern. Beyond the financial collapse, the potential implications for the millions who entrusted the company with their most personal information—their DNA—are profound and unsettling.
Founded in 2006, 23andMe rapidly became a household name, offering direct-to-consumer genetic testing that promised insights into ancestry, health predispositions, and more. Over nearly two decades, the company amassed genetic data from over 15 million individuals with this vast repository of sensitive information became an attractive target for cybercriminals, Big Pharma, and the government.
Data Breach
In December 2023, the company disclosed what it called a "significant data breach". Hackers had allegedly accessed nearly 7 million customer DNA and personal records. The breach was attributed to 'credential stuffing'—a technique where attackers use stolen usernames and passwords from other platforms to gain unauthorised access.
Cover-Up
Initially 23andMe claimed that only around 14,000 accounts were compromised, but due to interconnected features like DNA Relatives, the breach's impact extended to millions more and eventually the company admitted that nearly 7 million DNA records were in the hands of unknown actors.
Biohackers, Terrorists, and Rogue Governments want your DNA
In the hands of biohackers, terrorists or rogue governments the potential to cause harm is immense. It has been suggested that unscrupulous actors could use that data to create bio-weapons that target particular races, ethnicities or groups.
23andMe own your DNA in perpetuity
It has already been confirmed that Governments eager to impose Digital IDs will want DNA records just such as these, and as customers signed away the rights to their own DNA when they agreed to the Terms and Conditions there is nothing they can do about it.
Government interest
Speculation abounds regarding governmental interest in acquiring or accessing this data. The U.S. government has previously shown interest in large datasets for various purposes, including national security and public health. The possession of millions of genetic profiles could offer unparalleled advantages in areas like biomedical research and forensic investigations. However, the potential for misuse cannot be ignored.
The potential for misuse of genetic data is vast and frightening. In the wrong hands, this information could very well be used to develop targeted bioweapons or discriminatory practices. The 23andMe breach may just be the tip of the iceberg as far as DNA data falling into the wrong hands.
As we stand at the crossroads of technological advancement and ethical responsibility, the fate of 23andMe's genetic database underscores the dangers of handing over personal data of any kind to big corporations as it eventually always falls into the wrong hands, and that includes the Government.
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