'White hat' hacker discovers names of 'anonymous' volunteers of genome study in security drill

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/white-hat-hacker-discovers-names-of-anonymous-volunteers-of-genome-study-in-security-drill-8457739.html

By STEVE CONNOR
The Independent
17 JANUARY 2013

A former "white hat" hacker hired by banks to test their computer security has 
been able to discover the names of individuals who volunteered to take part in 
genome studies on the condition of anonymity.

Nearly 50 people who had agreed to have their genomes sequenced and placed on 
scientific databases provided that their names would not be used were 
identified by Yaniv Erlich as part of an exercise to test the vulnerability of 
personal data held in DNA libraries.

The revelation will prove embarrassing for organisations who have promoted the 
widespread use of genome sequencing in medical research. Last month, the 
Government announced a plan to sequence the genomes of 100,000 Britons to boost 
the discovery of new drugs and treatments.

Dr Erlich used computer algorithms to link DNA sequences, particularly of the 
male Y chromosome, with surnames and other personal data held on genealogy 
databases as part of a deliberate attempt to test the security of the 
“anonymised” information held on genome databases.

[...]

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