DNA analysis website Gedmatch went offline on Sunday while its parent company is investigated over how authorities obtained its users' DNA data.
Authorities used the website in question to arrest the infamous Golden State Killer.
The website allows users to upload their DNA data and compare it with others to find their family tree and ancestors. In 2018, its reputation skyrocketed when authorities used the site to compare the DNA of a suspected serial killer to records on the platform, but without reporting it to the company.
Gedmatch issued a warning about the security of user data and changed its settings so that users can choose whether they want their details to be included in police investigations.
However, users reported on Sunday that these settings had been changed without their permission and that their DNA profiles were made available to law enforcement investigations.
Although users described it as a data leak, the company did not clarify whether it resulted from an error or a breach .
As Brett Williams, CEO of Verogen, which acquired Gedmatch in 2019, said: “We have resolved this issue. However, as a precaution, we have taken down the site while we investigate the actual cause of the error. Once we understand the cause, we will issue a more formal statement,” he said.
Websites that offer information about users' ancestors and family trees have become increasingly popular in recent years, but authorities have also been increasingly pushing to gain access to genetic data to identify suspects from DNA found at crime scenes.
Gedmatch did not say how often law enforcement agencies request access to data . However, other platforms such as Ancestry.com have revealed that they have refused a police warrant, indicating that authorities are still using DNA and analysis sites for information.
