When databases go bust

Yesterday Alex wrote about T-Mobile and the problem of those handling our personal data and how they might be tempted to use it.

Today we find another story about the dangers inherent in biometric databases - what happens when the companies holding the data go bust?

As The Times reports:

A leading genetics company that has pioneered personal DNA testing in health assessments went bust yesterday, raising privacy concerns about the sensitive data it holds.

DNA profiles belonging to thousands of people who have paid up to £600 for internet genetic tests are to be transferred to a new organisation, after deCODE Genetics filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in a US court.

The company are of course claiming that they do not access the DNA data for anything other than that specified by the original contract with the customer, and therefore people need not be afraid.

But contracts drawn up with a company that goes bust and files for bunkruptcy become very shaky if the data is bought up by a new firm. Similarly, if you hand over your DNA or fingerprints to the state for one reason, you might find the data being used for entirely different purposes.

The reality is that if you are willing to hand over your most personal data to someone else, you can never be sure where it's going to end up.

By Dylan Sharpe