My dad's handwritten medical history seems more private than my digital DNA profile

He kept it in a locked cabinet at home, just for family and doctors. My genetic data from a test kit is stored on a server I've never seen, and I don't know the security rules. I used to trust that my health info stayed local, but now I fear it could be shared or hacked. The old paper method felt safer, even if it was less convenient.

3 comments

3 Comments

aaron_west8d ago

My cousin used one of those home DNA kits last year, and he's fine. I mean, sure, the data is on a server somewhere, but so is everything these days. That paper record your dad kept, it could get damaged or stolen just as easy. Those testing companies probably have better locks than a home cabinet. We hear about hacks, but most are for credit cards, not genes. Sometimes I wonder if we make a bigger deal out of this than needed.

elliotgarcia8d ago

@aaron_west, I get where you're coming from, but my sister did a DNA test and now gets weird targeted ads for health stuff. It's not just about hacks, it's how they use the data. She had to opt out of three different sharing programs after the fact, and the company sold her info to a research firm without clear warning. Makes you think twice about where that info goes.

troy_palmer763d ago

Yikes, that story about your sister is NUTS. I did one of those tests a while back and now I get ads for ancestry trips to places I've never heard of, which is kinda funny because I can't afford to go ANYWAY. @aaron_west has a point about data being everywhere, but selling info without warning? That's a whole other level. It's like they give you this cool report about your genes and then quietly trade your blueprint to whoever pays up. Makes me wish I'd just stuck with wondering why I hate cilantro instead of handing over my DNA for a few fun facts.