Big news. Police used warrant to search GEDMatch the DNA genealogy database.
Next: @23andMe or @Ancestry ?
1/5
nytimes.com/2019/11/05/bus…
Next: @23andMe or @Ancestry ?
1/5
nytimes.com/2019/11/05/bus…
2/5 Backstory:
GEDMatch is a 1.2 million strong crowdsourced dataabse of DNA profiles for finding family.
1st used by police in 2017 to find Golden State Killer
GEDMatch is a 1.2 million strong crowdsourced dataabse of DNA profiles for finding family.
1st used by police in 2017 to find Golden State Killer
3/5 After privacy uproar, owner sets up "optin" policy for police searches.
So far 185,000 signed up. HUGE decrease in search power from 1.2 mill. "almost useless" say genealogists working with police
So far 185,000 signed up. HUGE decrease in search power from 1.2 mill. "almost useless" say genealogists working with police
4/5 in the background, FBI scuffling with commercial operator Parabon and FamilyTree DNA (who work with local police) about who is going to control this whole thing, get the best cases. Parabon was dependent on GEDmatch, so most frozen out.
5/5 now, a warrant on GEDmatch, from police working with Parabon.
catching criminals is good but what a mess!
catching criminals is good but what a mess!
