U.S. police may now be able to access online DNA database records

In 2019, when we have huge databases that we can search quickly, the Third-Party doctrine no longer fits/works. We share vast amounts of very private information with third parties, it goes way beyond the meta-data of a PSTN phone call.

There is a big difference between asking for the call records of particular phone numbers and searching an entire database for whatever you want. With phone records you are asking for specific details, details that could provide direct evidence of a crime, the database has a perfect match for the search and that is known ahead of time. With DNA DB searches you are fishing for potential links, at least for now the DB isn't likely to have a perfect match and that is known ahead of time. Everyone in that DNA DB becomes suspect. I should not need DNA evidence to clear my name every time someone commits a crime.

I’m not sure if I trust people enough to be using DNA in the legal system of today. Let alone police with the bad actors that are attracted to the career.

The one law protection service I wish would be created is a way for opting-in to have my iPhone track location & record audio 24/7; with the guarantee of privacy for the data and able to be viewed only with consent (whenever being alleged to have committed a crime). It’s a work in progress thought I’ve been thinking about because I’ve been in a few situations where having a recording could have been potentially life changing in benefiting my recollection of what happened. Police don’t even let you audio record interrogations with your own personal phone. Although one should never even speak to the police and just request their lawyer on the spot.

I feel bad for all of the suckers that paid for and freely submitted their DNA to these private companies.

I have been saying this for years, but your DNA and health should only be viewed by you and your healthcare providers. With this contract, you are protected by strict federal and state laws (ie, HIPAA)

Using it for vanity bullshit like “I just found out I am 2% Cherokee” is absolutely insane.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't it always been 100% clear that police would be able to search online DNA databases easily, through the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third-party_doctrine if nothing else?

A power database for genetic geneology could be developed just with the DNA of police officers. The government should be providing incentivizes to people who make their DNA information open for genetic genealogy searches rather than resorting to warrants on information people didn't agree to it.

If you are a criminal, it might be wise to send them someone else's DNA in your own name. From someone who is not in the register and never gets there, maybe dies soon. When they start to eliminate suspects based on DNA you get dropped.

I think we need a DNA GDPR. The notion that your unique genetic makeup and data derived from your DNA is yours to do with what you will that you can revoke at any time.

Personally I'm glad they are catching murderers and rapists this way. It's fantastic and as far as we've seen there is no downside when this tool is applied within the context of a state that has rule of law. Even in a totalitarian panopticon like China, it's hard to picture exactly what downside a complete dna database would have. I mean we can contrive scenarios. Maybe a resistance cell is busted while everyone is out and the government is able to deduce the members from dna traces. But it seems far fetched. Even in that scenario, traditional policing techniques are likely to be more effective. I.e. wait until resistance members are present THEN attack the cell. Interrogate prisoners to give up accomplices etc.

Dna identification is pretty cool because the vast majority of cases where it's useful are cases where traces have been left at the scene of the crime or on a victim. That fact, the mere existence of a scene or a victim, constrains the use of the tool mostly to legitimate circumstances.

If my dna were used to lock up a relative who commits a rape or a murder I would be sad but I would consider it justified. I'm not going to do either of those things so I am not worried about whether the police would use dna to identify me. And considering the lack of scenarios where DNA could be misused, this is actually one of those situations where the innocent have nothing or next to nothing to worry about.