I have written about genetic testing kits before, but this subject matter is worth repeating. I find that people don’t always understand the consequences of sending a swab to a genetic testing company.  Consumer Reports recently came out with a study led by its Digital Lab experts entitled “The Privacy Problems of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing” which prompted me to revisit this as a Privacy Tip.

This is always a fun topic during my Privacy Law class, and students are often shocked when we discuss the laws that apply—or, don’t apply—to this highly sensitive information.

That said, whatever you decide to do with that genetic testing kit you got for Christmas is your own personal decision. However, before you send it in, you may wish to read the genetic testing company’s privacy policy and the Consumer Reports Digital Lab experts’ report linked above. You may also wish to take into consideration your family members’ privacy, because when you submit your own genetic makeup to a private company, you are also submitting part of the genetic makeup of your whole family, as their information is part of your swab.

Photo of Linn Foster Freedman Linn Foster Freedman

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her…

Linn Freedman practices in data privacy and security law, cybersecurity, and complex litigation. She is a member of the Business Litigation Group and the Financial Services Cyber-Compliance Team, and chairs the firm’s Data Privacy and Security and Artificial Intelligence Teams. Linn focuses her practice on compliance with all state and federal privacy and security laws and regulations. She counsels a range of public and private clients from industries such as construction, education, health care, insurance, manufacturing, real estate, utilities and critical infrastructure, marine and charitable organizations, on state and federal data privacy and security investigations, as well as emergency data breach response and mitigation. Linn is an Adjunct Professor of the Practice of Cybersecurity at Brown University and an Adjunct Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law.  Prior to joining the firm, Linn served as assistant attorney general and deputy chief of the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s Office for the State of Rhode Island. She earned her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law and her B.A., with honors, in American Studies from Newcomb College of Tulane University. She is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Read her full rc.com bio here.