DNA testing startup Veritas Genetics confirms data breach

Although the portal did not contain test results or medical information, the company declined to say what information had been stolen only that a handful of customers were affected.

Veritas, whose competitors include 23andMe, Ancestry and MyHeritage, says it can analyze and understand a human genome using a smaller portion of an individuals DNA, allowing customers to better understand what health risks they may face in later life or pass on to their children.

Although the stolen data did not include personal health information, its likely to further fuel concerns that health startups, particularly companies dealing with sensitive DNA and genome information, cant protect their users data.

Privacy remains an emerging concern in genetics testing after law enforcement have served legal demands against DNA collection and genetics testing companies to help identify suspects in criminal cases.

Just this week, it was reported that a game changer warrant obtained in Florida allowed one police department to search the full database of GEDmatch, a DNA testing company, which last year was used by police to help catch the notorious Golden State Killer.

Original article
Author: Zack Whittaker

Zack Whittaker writes about cybersecurity for TechCrunch. You can send tips securely via Signal and WhatsApp to +1 646-755-8849, and his PGP fingerprint for email is: 4D0E 92F2 E36A EC51 DAAE 5D97 CB8C 15FA EB6C EEA5. He can also be reached by email: zack.whittaker@techcrunch.com.

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