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A few years ago, DNA-testing kits that offered insights into customers’ genetic profiles were incredibly popular. However, some were concerned about the implications of having their DNA information stored in a company’s database.
Now, customers of Atlas Biomed, a DNA-testing company, are facing growing concerns after the firm appears to have ceased trading without warning or explanation, according to a recent report by the BBC. Users of the service are no longer able to access their personalized genetic reports online, and attempts to contact the company have gone unanswered, leaving many wondering what has happened to their sensitive data.
Atlas Biomed, which had operated out of London and was offering DNA analysis for around £100, allowed customers to submit saliva samples for personalized health insights. However, several customers have found that their online access to reports has vanished. Despite attempts to contact the company, there has been no response.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data regulator, has confirmed it has received a complaint about the situation, highlighting the serious implications of companies mishandling personal data. DNA, as experts point out, is among the most sensitive personal information, revealing not only individual traits but also familial medical predispositions.
Adding to this enigma, the BBC report also revealed that Atlas Biomed has links to Russia, with some of its remaining officers registered at an address in Moscow. Although it remains listed as an active company with Companies House, it has not filed accounts since December 2022, and its online presence has been dormant for months. A company registration firm at Atlas Biomed’s listed UK address confirmed the firm was a client but declined to provide further contact details.
Cybersecurity experts are alarmed by the potential risks, particularly considering that personal data in the wrong hands could be misused. As of now, Atlas Biomed’s fate remains unclear, and customers are left with more questions than answers about the whereabouts of their personal data and the future of the company.
