The possibility that genetic information will be used for advertisement after DNA inspection

ByErik Schepers

Services that analyze genetic trends by simply collecting saliva at home and sending itThere are genetic tests gradually becoming more common. One such genetic testing companyAncestry.com"To display appropriate advertisements", I found that I used genetic information of my company's users.

Ancestry.com can use your DNA to target ads
https://freedom-to-tinker.com/blog/paulellenbogen/ancestry-com-can-use-your-dna-to-target-ads/


It is said that "ultimate personal information" is because genetic information can identify the risk of developing serious diseases such as cancer and cerebral infarction. If genetic information is inadvertently known, there is a possibility that discrimination may occur due to insurance or employment. Ancestry.com's privacy policy that deals with such genetic information includes the privacy policy that users provided for examination as "possibility to use for demographic, benchmark survey, advertisement, marketing, promotion There is "It is written. Furthermore, in the advertisement-related items, "We will endeavor to display highly relevant advertisements to users on their website or third-party website by analyzing user's demographic information and anonymous data It is also described.

As a privacy policy, it says "You may use user's genetic information for advertising purposes", but Ancestry.com, who was asked for comments, also says, "In our privacy policy, we We will not access individual account information and provide it to advertisers, we will never sell, rent out, or distribute any personal information provided without user's consent. "As one statement says, the abuse of genetic information I will explain it is not.

However, it has not been clarified how user information is used to display "highly relevant advertisements" and addressed this issueFreedom to Tinker,GenotypingPointed out the risks of users not agreeing to handle their genetic information without knowing as they become more common. Moreover, even if the user's genetic information is appropriately operated, we warn that it can not securely protect data from hacker attacks.

ByUniversity of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment

Yahoo! also in Japan "HealthData Lab"We conduct gene analysis service called"Use genetic information for advertisementIn the personal information protection policy. As a matter of course, the genetic testing company needs to carefully handle genetic information which is the ultimate personal information, but also when users use services, it is important to know how their genetic information is handled We need to figure it out.