
But the problem is that those protections may not be practically effective.” Valuable DNA
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And creating regulations isn’t the same as guaranteeing compliance, especially when companies are themselves sometimes unsure of how to comply, or are actively seeking ways to duck compliance. We can also conclude from same that while GDPR has imposed needed data privacy safeguards, it isn’t surefire protection, especially when data (as it does) moves outside the EU. Sure, a decade ago a platform to connect up and share posts and pictures with friends (back before they became “Friends”), or a site for “free” web searches, seemed innocent and fun, too.įast-forward and we have the executives of such companies being grilled by national legislatures in multiple countries about data protection and privacy lapses (setting aside actual threats to democracy). Others added that we have little to worry about in Europe because GDPR shields us.įor comparison, consider all the continuing alarms over social media and search sites. Some highlighted that if DNA information was sold to researchers, it would be a good thing that would benefit humanity. Replies in favour of DNA kits typically stated that the companies offering such tests have fail-safe privacy and security policies. It struck a nerve with many people, while also sparking some scepticism. To my surprise, that tweet has become one of my most retweeted ever. But the arrival of a major Christmas marketing push for these tests irritated me into posting on Twitter this week, warning people to avoid them. Nor the ones offering medical risk analysis or revealing how Neanderthal I am.

Ever since I signed up for a genealogy research site, it’s been sending me emails flogging its DNA analysis kit.īut there’s no way I will do a DNA ancestry test.
