The Commercial Dynamics of Direct-to-consumer Genome Testing and Law Enforcement Cooperation

• In Event: Digital Criminology: Privatisation and Commercialisation

Abstract

The commercial ecosystem of direct-to-consumer genome analyses (DTC) has begun to influence police investigations. As commercial services increasingly sell genomic information to law enforcement agencies this article investigates a key issue of this trend: what commercial dynamics tie DTC genome services and policing together, and how does that impact law enforcement? Based on netnographic empirical material the article makes several contributions. First, it describes general trends that characterize the cooperations between law enforcement and DTC genome services. Second, it gives an overview of data collected by the companies and distinct approaches to cooperation with law enforcement. Third, based on the above several developments are discussed that become more entrenched in law enforcement: the dynamics of data accumulation, sharing policies as marketing strategies, and the rise of genetic surveillance capitalism. In conclusion, the article emphasizes the need for more detailed regulation, societal education and scientific reflection.

Authors

• Silje Bakken, University of Oslo

• Mareile Kaufmann, University of Oslo