Is it safe to have your ancestry data online? Here's what experts say.
By Cathy Cassata,
Yahoo [Cites CGS' Katie Hasson]
| 12. 15. 2023
Millions of people use genetic testing companies like 23andMe to learn more about their ancestry and health. But a new data breach is highlighting the risks of having your ancestry information stored online — and what it might be used for in the event of hacking. Here's what to know.
What’s happening
In October, 23andMe announced that approximately 14,000 23andMe users’ accounts were breached; according to the company, the stolen data — which some hackers tried to sell via online forums — “generally included ancestry information, and, for a subset of those accounts, health-related information based upon the user’s genetics.”
It's since been revealed that the hackers used those compromised accounts to also access another 6.9 million profiles connected to the users’ DNA relatives and those on their family tree. Data from the DNA Relatives profiles consists of information that a customer chooses to make available to their genetic relatives, such as display name, predicted relationships and percentage of DNA shared with matches, when they opt in to that feature. Data from Family Tree profiles includes a limited subset...
Related Articles
By Annika Inampudi, Science | 08.01.2025
In June, Sara* received a message asking whether she wanted to continue to participate in a massive, multicenter research project led by scientists at Aarhus University in Denmark. The iPsych study, the message said, had sequenced her genetic data from...
The Center for Genetics and Society is delighted to recommend the current edition of GMWatch Review – Number 589. UK-based GMWatch, a long-standing ally, was founded in 1998 by Jonathan Matthews as an independent organization seeking to counter the enormous corporate political power and propaganda of the GMO industry and its supporters. Matthews and Claire Robinson are its directors and managing editors.
CGS works to ensure that social justice, equity, human rights, and democratic governance are front...
By Katherine Drabiak, Journal of Medical Ethics Forum | 08.07.2025
Adapted from Mitochondrial DNA at
National Human Genome Research Institute
Recently, media outlets around the world have been reporting on children born from pronuclear genome transfer (sometimes called “3-parent IVF,” “mitochondrial donation” or “mitochondrial replacement therapy”) at Newcastle Fertility Center...
By Annika Inampudi, Science | 07.10.2025
Before a baby in the United States reaches a few days old, doctors will run biochemical tests on a few drops of their blood to catch certain genetic diseases that need immediate care to prevent brain damage or other serious...
