Ask HN: Is there a DNA/genealogy site you trust? I’m really interested in 23 and me and the general building-a-family-tree-via-DNA service, but, like a lot of people, are concerned about my genetic info being later resold. Is there a service HNers could recommend for the privacy conscious? |
23andme has a better track record of refusing governmental requests than AncestryDNA.
In terms of genetic information sharing, none of the providers shares non-anonymized data. 23andme allows an opt-out for sharing anonymized data.
You can also do the tests pseudo-anonymously, while they ask you to provide your real name, etc. you don't actually have to do so. You can purchase a test kit at a retail store for cash and register online with a fake name if you wish to do so.
I looked at the family tree/genealogy data as well, and I was stunned how many of my close relatives were in there.
It does depends on exactly what your fears are about how the data will be used, but to some extent the ubiquity of these services means the privacy of your genetic information has already been violated regardless of wether you choose to use them yourself.
The only thing linking it to my existing identity is the actual DNA data itself, which is probably insufficient for insurance companies or data brokers to relate it to my existing records for discrimination purposes.
Anonymous is definitely Debby's dad, and Bills cousin. Other datasets indicate that Debby's dad and Bills cousin's name is John Johnson. Therefore, Anonymous is John Johnson.
It also presumes they lied and didn’t delete my data on request.