[ExI] 23andME - Company issues: privacy

[natasha at natasha.cc]

Hi spike!

 

I have been a member of 23andMe for a number of years, but I just wanted to
ask because a student of mine is investigating their corporate efficacy and
integrity, after the FDA issue and he is concerned about privacy.

 

All my best!

Natasha

 

 

From: extropy-chat [mailto:extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org] On Behalf
Of spike
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 12:19 PM
To: 'ExI chat list'
Subject: Re: [ExI] 23andME - Company issues: privacy

 

How does 23andMe assure customers that their DNA data is private?

 

Thanks,

Natasha

 

 

Natasha, you aren't required to tell them who you are.  Any pseudonym will
do.  I have two second cousins on there whose identities I have been trying
to crack for some time, but no luck.

 

If one of your siblings or several cousins go on there and identify
themselves, it is easy enough to figure out with high confidence the
identity of you, but it is unlikely several cousins would do it, and you can
ask your siblings if they did it.

 

If you want even more assurance of privacy, have a friend buy the kit with
her credit card.  Then register yourself Rhizopus Stolonifer.  Give a
different friend's email @ or create one for Ms. Stolonifer and use it for
only that.

 

Welcome to the family!

 

Before you do that however, if you are in it for genealogy purposes, 23andMe
isn't the way to go.  Post me offlist for further info if you worry about
privacy concerns, or ask here if you wish.  Others might want this info.

 

spike

 

From: extropy-chat [mailto:extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org] On Behalf
Of natasha at natasha.cc
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2014 11:56 AM
To: ExI chat list
Subject: [ExI] 23andME - Company issues: privacy

 

How does 23andMe assure customers that their DNA data is private?

 

Thanks,

Natasha

 

 <http://www.natasha.cc/> Natasha Vita-More, PhD

 

Professor, University of Advancing Technology

Chair, Humanity+

Fellow, Institute for Ethics & Emerging Technologies

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