Data protection includes many different aspects of life. Unfortunately, the past few years have shown that many institutions simply cannot protect our valuable information from vile agents. Financial and identification information is valuable, but it does not compare with the cost of the material within each of us: our genomic data. Genomic data must be reliably protected at all costs , and, fortunately, thanks to the blockchain technology, there is currently a very realistic option.
Over the past few years, society has been replete with constant reports of data breaches. The most obvious example is Facebook. And although Facebook has shown a complete inability to protect customer data, they are not alone. Equifax, one of the three largest credit agencies in the United States, suffered from a breach of personal data in September 2017. The leak included highly confidential information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, driver’s licenses and passport numbers.
Such violations of personal data are becoming more common every day. This puts consumers in a vulnerable position, since information leakage is extremely personal and valuable. This is the case with our genomic data.
All living things have DNA in their cells and contain the information necessary to build and maintain the body. Nothing is more valuable, and it requires the highest level of security.
23andMe and Ancestry are among the largest traditional genome sequencing and genealogy companies. Although each company did a great job of providing people with invaluable access to important information, for example, where they came from, they are extremely bad at how they handle this confidential information.
In the summer of 2018, the FTC announced that it was actively investigating 23andMe and Ancestry.com for their personal information and genetic data processing policies, and how they share this information with third parties.
Blockchain influence
Given all the incidents with information that is not as valuable as our genomic data, how can consumers trust any business? The blockchain technology is increasingly used to solve the most complex issues. Although the technology is relatively new, there are several examples of positive effects .
It became clear that additional innovations are needed to protect the valuable data that we all own. Although financial and identity documents are extremely valuable, nothing is more valuable than what is inside us: DNA. Given the challenges that traditional companies in the industry face, it's nice to see that startups are trying to use the power of blockchain technology to safely store our genomic data.
