Covid test firm ‘to sell swabs carrying customers’ DNA’
Cignpost Diagnostics, a government-approved supplier, prompts investigation over sharing of sensitive medical data with third parties
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/11...-customers-dna/
By Max Stephens
14 November 2021 • 3:43pm

A leading Covid-19 testing firm is planning to sell swabs containing customer’s DNA, prompting an investigation from the UK’s data privacy watchdog.

Cignpost Diagnostics, a government-approved supplier trading as Express Test, said it will analyse samples to sell the information to third parties, company documents have revealed.

The company claimed it will also use the medical data to "learn more about human health" and develop new drugs and products, the Sunday Times reported.

Explicit informed consent

Customers booking tests through the Express Test website were not clearly told their data would be used for purposes beyond Covid-19 testing, the paper alleged.

Instead, they were reportedly asked to tick a box agreeing to a 4,876-word privacy policy, which links to another document outlining its "research programme".

Typically, analysis of sensitive medical information can only be carried out with explicit informed consent.-- excerpt, rest at link above --