DNA-testing company Atlas Biomed appears to have halted operations without notifying customers about the fate of their sensitive genetic data. Based in London, the firm provided insights into users' genetic profiles and potential health risks. Customers report being unable to access their reports online, and the company has not responded to inquiries from the BBC.

Disgruntled clients describe the situation as "very alarming," expressing fears about the handling of their "most personal information." The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) confirmed receiving a complaint about the company. A spokesperson stated: "People have the right to expect that organisations will handle their personal information securely and responsibly." Experts warn that users of DNA-testing services are often "completely at the mercy" of companies when it comes to safeguarding sensitive data.

Lisa Topping from Essex, who paid £100 for a genetic report, described her frustration after the company’s website vanished. "I don’t know what someone else could do with [the data], but it’s the most personal information… I don’t know how comfortable I feel that they have just disappeared," she said.

Another customer, Kate Lake from Kent, paid £139 in 2023 but never received her report. Despite promises of a refund, the company went silent. "It’s like no-one was at home," she explained, demanding answers about the fate of her data.

Attempts by the BBC to contact the firm have been unsuccessful. Phone numbers are inactive, the London office appears abandoned, and social media accounts have been dormant since mid-2023. Online comments reveal widespread customer complaints.

Atlas Biomed remains registered with Companies House but has not filed accounts since December 2022. Notably, two active officers are listed at a Moscow address linked to a Russian billionaire, who has since resigned from the company.

Cybersecurity expert Prof. Alan Woodward remarked on the "odd" connections: "If people knew the provenance of this company and how it operates, they might not be quite so ready to trust them with their DNA."

While no misuse of customer data has been confirmed, the lack of transparency raises concerns. Prof. Carissa Veliz, author of Privacy is Power, emphasized the unique sensitivity of DNA: "It is uniquely yours, you can’t change it, and it reveals your – and your family’s – biological strengths and weaknesses."

She added, "When you give your data to a company, you are completely at their mercy. We shouldn’t have to wait until something happens."

Atlas Biomed’s silence leaves its customers uncertain and alarmed about the safety of their most personal information.