The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the California Attorney General teamed up against California company CRI Genetics, LLC, filing a joint complaint against the company alleging that it engaged in deceptive practices when it “deceived consumers about the accuracy of its test reports compared with those of other DNA testing companies, falsely claimed to have patented an algorithm for its genetic matching process, and used fake reviews and testimonials on its websites.” In addition, the complaint alleged that CRI “used ‘dark patterns’ in its online billing process to trick consumers into paying for products they did not want and did not agree to buy.”

CRI agreed to pay a $700,000 civil penalty to settle the action, and agreed to change its marketing practices so it does not misrepresent that: its DNA testing product or service is more accurate or detailed than others; it can show the geographic location of ancestors “with a 90 percent or higher accuracy rate”; or it will show “exactly where consumers’ ancestors came from or exactly when or where they arrived, among others.

The proposed order also requires CRI to disclose the costs of products and services to consumers, obtain consent from consumers about how it may share DNA information, and delete the genetic and other information of consumers who received refunds and requested that their data be deleted.

The full FTC unanimously authorized the proposed order which will now be presented to a federal judge for approval.

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.