The Gift

Bonus Episode: Hacked

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Episode notes

Was a recent, unprecedented DNA data theft a racially motivated attack?

October 6th, 2023 - the day before Hamas launches its attack on Israel - a data set stolen from at-home DNA testing company 23andMe is posted on the dark web. A hacker under the username Golem claims it contains millions of data points relating to Ashkenazi Jews living globally. A vast repository of 23andMe account holder's personal information is then offered to anyone willing to pay for it - including names, birth dates, location and genetic ancestry details. Not only is it 23andMe's the biggest ever security breach but apparently it's been motivated by racism.

Jenny Kleeman recently confirmed her Ashkenazi Jewish identity through a 23andMe test. Her mum and dad had already done so a few years previously. In this bonus episode of The Gift, Jenny investigates the 23andMe breach to discover what happened, who was targeted and if information as sensitive as our genetic code can ever be stored safely.

Presenter: Jenny Kleeman Producer: Conor Garrett Commissioning Editor: Hugh Levinson Executive Producer: Philip Sellars Production Co-ordinator: Gill Huggett