Home testing company FamilyTreeDNA collaborates with FBI

In February 2019 BuzzFeed News reported that one of the largest  home DNA testing companies, FamilyTreeDNA, had formed an agreement with the FBI to grant the agency access to its database of more than 1 million genetic profiles, most of which were supplied by consumers with no thought that they would be accessible to law enforcement. FamilyTreeDNA has also agreed to test DNA evidence and identify remains of victims of violent crimes for the FBI in its own laboratory. FamilyTreeDNA said customers have the ability to opt out of matching, a choice that would not only block the FBI but also prevent them from finding potential family members. The service also noted that the FBI has no greater access than any other user of the system, and would require a court order to get additional information.

https://gizmodo.com/familytreedna-hands-the-fbi-access-to-its-database-1832259369

Writer: Victoria Song

Publication: Gizmodo

Publication date: 2019-02-01