Police want access to health data from tracking technology

images

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. 

In late October, genetic testing startup 23andMe did something unusual: It issued a transparency report that disclosed how many times law enforcement had requested access to its customers’ data. Transparency reports themselves — regularly updated documents that disclose statistics of government requests for user data, records, or content — aren’t unusual: Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft all now issue them. What was different was the nature of the requests: Instead of seeking information about someone’s location or communications, the government was asking for people’s DNA.

Ultimately, 23andMe said it didn’t comply with the requests. However, as more health technology companies track ever more discrete data about our bodies — from our genes to our heart rate — law enforcement agencies will increasingly attempt to access this information. But for now, at least, because most health technology companies do not issue transparency reports, those requests remain a black box.

For example, Fitbit, which has a market cap of $8 billion, has sold more than 30 million activity trackers since its 2007 inception. Asked by BuzzFeed News, a spokesperson said the company does not currently issue a transparency report because it’s received an “extremely low number of requests in the single digits” for customer data, but will start doing so “when the numbers are higher.” The spokesperson would not say whether Fitbit had complied with any requests so far.

Read full, original post: As Companies Collect More Health Data, Cops Will Ask To See It

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}
screenshot at  pm

Are pesticide residues on food something to worry about?

In 1962, Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring drew attention to pesticides and their possible dangers to humans, birds, mammals and the ...
glp menu logo outlined

Newsletter Subscription

* indicates required
Email Lists
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.