Summary

Genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, putting the DNA data of millions of users at risk of being sold.

Privacy advocates have urged consumers to delete their data amid fears it could be sold to data brokers or used for targeted advertising.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta advised customers to consider deleting their profiles after the company’s share price crash heightened concerns.

CEO Anne Wojcicki reportedly rejected three takeover bids before the bankruptcy filing, raising questions about the company’s future and data protection.

  • lightnsfw@reddthat.com
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    4 days ago

    Is it right to keep the dna of millions stored to prevent or capture a handful of potentially dangerous individuals.

    No. Who decides what’s a “potentially dangerous” individual? Obviously rapists and murderers are a low bar but what if they decide to start using it for lesser crimes or protesters? Or to persecute “undesirables”? Our current administration is a great example of why having this information available to the government is a terrible idea. Any safeguards can easily be stripped away.

    • ALilOff@lemmy.world
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      4 days ago

      Oh I agree with you, since it was my dissertation I had to argue for both sides. The view of “potential danger” is not worth the weight of violating a natural human right.

      I touched upon similar a social credit scoring system, where in ideology with big brother crime rates will go down, however the trade off is people will have less faith in others. As people will no longer be able to determine altruism, are you helping me because you’re a good person, or just to boost your credit score.

    • ipkpjersi@lemmy.ml
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      4 days ago

      The safest way to do it is to not participate, which is why I have not participated and none of my family have. I am glad this trend seems to be dying out.

      • lightnsfw@reddthat.com
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        4 days ago

        I am unfortunately not so lucky. My brother’s idiot wife jumped right on board as soon as it was available. Even after I told them how terrible of an idea it was.