American Genetic Privacy Act of 2025
The American Genetic Privacy Act of 2025 is a proposed law that would restrict the sale and sharing of genetic information obtained through consumer DNA testing. Specifically, it would prohibit selling or offering to sell, and prohibits disclosures by commercial DNA testing services, of genetic information (and aggregated versions of it) to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) or to any entity under PRC influence, control, or ownership. The bill would give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to enforce these prohibitions, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices under the FTC Act. Definitions are provided to clarify terms like “commercial DNA testing service,” “covered information,” “genetic information,” and “genetic test.” The bill’s aim is to protect individuals’ genetic data from being accessed by China or Chinese-controlled entities, reflecting privacy and national security concerns related to genetic information. As introduced, it assigns enforcement to the FTC and relies on existing consumer protection penalties and remedies to deter violations.
Key Points
- 1Prohibits sale or offering for sale of covered information (including aggregated data) to the PRC or to any entity under PRC influence, control, or ownership.
- 2Prohibits disclosures by commercial DNA testing services of covered information (including aggregated data) to the PRC or to any entity under PRC influence, control, or ownership.
- 3Enables enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the FTC Act, with all applicable FTC powers and remedies.
- 4Provides definitions for key terms: “commercial DNA testing service,” “covered information,” “genetic information,” and “genetic test.”
- 5Covers information originally acquired from an individual through the person’s use of a commercial DNA testing service, and extends to aggregated data derived from such information.