UK-Based DNA Testing Company Atlas Biomed Disappears With Sensitive Customer Data, Raising Security Concerns
DNA Testing Company: A UK-based DNA testing company, Atlas Biomed, has reportedly vanished off the grid, leaving its customers’ highly sensitive genetic data in jeopardy. The firm, which provided personalized insights into genetic predispositions and health risks, no longer has an active website, and its phone lines are disconnected. As revealed by BBC, the company’s sudden disappearance has sparked fears about the potential misuse of sensitive biometrics and personal information.
The Vanishing of Atlas Biomed
Customers are now in the dark after Atlas Biomed ceased all communication, including removing their online presence. The company’s website is inactive, and even their Instagram account, which boasted over 11,000 followers, hasn’t posted since March 2022. Despite these alarming signs, the firm, which previously had offices in London’s tech hub near Silicon Roundabout, left no trace of why it disappeared or where its database containing personal DNA samples might be.
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has confirmed it received complaints regarding the incident and is investigating the matter. A spokesperson from the ICO reminded the public that organizations must handle personal information securely and responsibly, especially when dealing with sensitive data like DNA profiles.
The Russian Link: Atlas Biomed’s Controversial Connections
While Atlas Biomed may have shut its doors, its ties to Russia have surfaced. Although officially registered in the UK, the company has not filed any official accounts since December 2022. Two of its remaining directors were listed with Moscow addresses, raising concerns about the firm’s Russian connections.
Furthermore, one of the resigned directors has been linked to a Russian billionaire. These connections have added to the growing suspicion surrounding the company’s abrupt exit, leaving customers wondering whether the firm’s data might be at risk.
Customer Reactions and Growing Concerns
The sudden disappearance has left many customers, like Lisa Topping from Essex, worried about the fate of their personal data. Topping, who had paid $130 for a genetic report, was shocked to find that her access to her DNA results had been cut off without explanation. “It’s the most personal information… I don’t know how comfortable I feel that they have just disappeared,” she said, echoing the widespread concerns of Atlas Biomed’s other customers.
While no evidence has been found to suggest that the data is being misused, the uncertainty surrounding the company’s closure has left many unsettled. Customers are left with no answers about whether their DNA information is still secure or if it has been exposed to unauthorized parties.
As the investigation unfolds, the growing mystery of Atlas Biomed’s disappearance raises critical questions about the safety of genetic data and the responsibilities of companies handling such sensitive information.
