You have undoubtedly seen advertisements for DNA tests that promise to shed light on your ethnic origins. Influencers regularly promote these services which represent a risk to your data. The National Commission for Information Technology and Liberties (Cnil) warns of this practice.
Very sensitive data in the hands of private companies
To carry out a DNA test, you receive a kit which requires you to collect saliva. Companies then recover a lot of very sensitive information which is your genetic heritage. Companies therefore have control over your ethnic origins or even your state of health, warns the CNIL.
Knowing that this genetic data is shared “between ascendants, descendants and close family”, the danger is even greater and involves your parents, your children, etc. Especially when we cross these elements with the other information requested by these companies: name, first name, address, email or even photos and marital relations.
Hacking of this data is not excluded. And there, it is a real gold mine for pirates. In the past, the 23andMe site was affected by a hacker attack and the information of 6 million customers was stolen. Certainly, companies like MyHeritage warn of risks in the conditions of use, but despite everything, some customers are very attracted by these tests.
DNA tests punishable by €3,750 fine
Faced with the growing popularity of these companies among the general public, the CNIL indicates that “genetic tests can only be carried out as part of a judicial investigation, for medical treatment or for research purposes”. The organization also specifies that the reliability of these tests is not guaranteed.
The practice is therefore completely illegal in France for so-called “recreational” purposes as indicated in article 226-28-1 of the Penal Code: “The fact, for a person, of requesting the examination of their genetic characteristics or those of a third party or the identification of a person by their genetic fingerprints outside the conditions provided for by law is punishable by €3,750 fine”.