this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2023
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23andMe confirms hackers stole ancestry data on 6.9 million users::Genetic testing company 23andMe revealed that its data breach was much worse than previously reported, hitting about half of its total customers.

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[–] MataVatnik@lemmy.world 137 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (3 children)

Would you let government collect DNA from people when they are born? Absolutely not, but I will definitely give it to a silicon valley start up who will then proceed to sell it and have it stolen.

[–] aelwero@lemmy.world 55 points 8 months ago (2 children)

If you're allowing a corporation to have it, you are giving de facto consent for government to collect it with zero regard for your rights whatsoever.

They have the greatest ability to buy it, the greatest ability to steal it, and a fairly unique ability to confiscate it.

[–] pdxfed@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

Yeah but what about great aunt Marge? Don't you want to know if it was Scotland or Denmark?!?

[–] MataVatnik@lemmy.world 2 points 8 months ago

Good point with that last sentence.

[–] abhibeckert@lemmy.world 4 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I don't see how government vs private makes any difference.

A baby isn't capable of informed consent, so their DNA shouldn't be collected unless it's required for some medical reason (and then the sample should be immediately destroyed and no records kept).

If an adult, however, wants to voluntarily give these folks a DNA sample... well that's their choice. I'm not surprised it ended poorly.