Atlas Biomed, a DNA testing company that promised customers insights into their genetic makeup and health risks, has abruptly ceased operations, leaving customers unable to access their personal genetic reports or obtain information about the status and security of their sensitive data.
According to a report by BBC, the company’s London offices are closed, its website and social media accounts are inactive, and attempts to contact the company have gone unanswered. The sudden shutdown has raised concerns among clients, who are now unable to retrieve or confirm the security of their data.
Atlas Biomed previously assured customers that their data was securely stored on servers within the EU, protected by SHA-256 with RSA encryption, and compliant with GDPR standards. However, customers now report a lack of communication, missing refunds, and inaccessible reports.
Many users, such as Lisa Topping of Essex, and Kate Lake of Kent, shared with the BBC that they paid over £100 for personalized DNA insights only to lose access without warning. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the U.K. has confirmed it received complaints and is assessing potential data privacy implications.
Additional investigation has revealed potential ties between Atlas Biomed and Russia. While half of the company’s officers have resigned, two remaining officers are listed at a Moscow address linked to a Russian billionaire who was formerly a director.
This connection has further fueled customer concerns over the handling and potential relocation of genetic data to Russia. However, no confirmed misuse of customer data has yet been reported, according to cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes Labs.
The collapse of Atlas Biomed follows other high-profile data incidents, including a 2018 breach at MyHeritage and a 2023 data leak at 23andMe that exposed genetic information of up to seven million users.
