Caveat Emptor: How the Intersection of Big Data and Consumer Genomics Exponentially Increases Informational Privacy Risks.

Our genomic sequence constitutes the most sensitive and personal of information: uniquely identifying us, revealing our propensity to develop certain diseases and conditions, and exposing familial connections of close genetic relatives. Big Data enables consumer-genomics companies to collect, store, and electronically share genomic-sequence data in conjunction with numerous pieces of private health and personal information. Consumer curation of data currently occurs largely outside pertinent federal regulations ordinarily governing the handling of private health information, which means consumers may not fully understand the implications of the transaction during the process of submitting their genomic and health information. This article describes 23andMe's corporate model, including relevant terms contained in its consent and privacy policies of which consumers should be aware, and discusses practices currently permitted by law that pose significant informational risks to individual privacy, including exposing the consumer and his close family members to stigma, bias, discrimination, and criminal investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]