Plain English explanation of your consent choices
Your consent matters deeply to us. This page explains — in plain, clear language — exactly what you are agreeing to, what each choice means for you, and how to change your mind at any time. There is no small print here.
Before you consent to anything, read this page fully. If you have any questions, contact us at consent@geneai.com — we will answer before asking you to sign anything.
1. What You Are Consenting To
When you use GeneAI, you will be asked for consent in five separate areas. These are separate choices — you can say yes to some and no to others. None of them are hidden inside a single "accept all" button. Here is a plain-language summary of each:
Data Collection
You agree to let us collect your personal information (name, contact details, date of birth) and your health information (medical history, medications, known conditions). We need this to run your case. Without this, we cannot provide the service.
Sample Analysis
You agree to let us send an anonymised version of your sample — identified only by a case code, not your name — to an accredited UK laboratory for genomic analysis. You must consent to this for the core service to work.
Data Storage
You agree to let us retain your data for the periods described in our Privacy Policy (between 7 and 10 years depending on data type). This is required by clinical governance obligations, so it cannot be shortened, but you will always have access to your data during this time.
Specialist Referral
You agree to let us share relevant findings with a specialist if your report suggests this could be helpful. This consent is not blanket — we will ask you again for each specific referral before sharing anything. You can decline any referral without affecting your report.
Anonymised Research (Optional)
You agree to let your fully anonymised data contribute to approved genomic research. This is entirely optional and has no effect on your service if you decline. You can withdraw this at any time.
2. The Five Consent Scopes in Detail
Scope 1: Data Collection
If you consent
We collect your name, contact details, date of birth, nationality, medical history, medications, and family history. This information is stored securely and used only for your case.
If you don't consent
We cannot provide the GeneAI service. Data collection is the foundation of everything else. Without it, we cannot create your case or contact you with results.
How to withdraw
Close your account. Your data will be retained for the legally required periods but will not be used for any new processing.
Scope 2: Sample Analysis
If you consent
Your physical sample (once collected) is assigned an anonymous case code and transported to a UK accredited laboratory for genomic analysis. Results are returned to GeneAI's secure platform.
If you don't consent
No analysis can occur. The core genomic service cannot be delivered. You can still maintain an account and access educational resources.
How to withdraw
Before sample collection: withdraw at any time with no cost. After collection but before analysis: contact us immediately — we may be able to halt the process. After analysis is complete: we cannot un-analyse your sample, but all further processing stops.
Scope 3: Data Storage
If you consent
Your data is retained securely for the periods required by law. You have access to your data throughout the retention period and can request exports at any time.
If you don't consent
We are legally required to retain certain data regardless. We cannot fully provide the service without storing your data. We will always be transparent about what we are required to retain and why.
How to withdraw
Request account deletion via privacy@geneai.com. Data legally required to be retained will be kept for the mandated period and then securely deleted. We will explain exactly what is retained and for how long.
Scope 4: Specialist Referral
If you consent
If your report indicates a referral may be helpful, we will contact you to explain what would be shared, with whom, and why. You approve each referral individually before anything is shared.
If you don't consent
You will not be offered referral coordination. Your report is still delivered in full. This has no effect on the analysis or interpretation quality.
How to withdraw
Withdraw from your Profile > Privacy Settings at any time. Any pending referral requests are cancelled immediately. Data already shared for an approved referral cannot be recalled.
Scope 5: Anonymised Research (Optional)
If you consent
Your fully anonymised genomic data may be contributed to approved genomic research projects. No identifying information is included. You are helping to advance our understanding of genetic conditions, with no risk to your privacy.
If you don't consent
Absolutely no effect on your service. Your data is not used for any research purpose whatsoever. There is no pressure to consent to this, ever.
How to withdraw
Withdraw at any time from Profile > Privacy Settings. Future use stops immediately. Data already included in published or submitted research cannot be removed from those publications.
3. Your Genetic Data
What genetic data is
Genetic data is information derived from your DNA. It can reveal your ancestry, your risk of inherited conditions, your response to certain medications, and characteristics that are unique to you. Unlike other personal information, it cannot be changed — your DNA is permanent.
Why it is especially sensitive
Your genetic data does not only describe you — it can reveal information about your biological relatives, including people who have not consented to any analysis. This is why genetic data receives the highest level of legal protection under UK GDPR (Special Category data), and why we apply security measures that go beyond our standard data protection practices.
How we handle it
Your genetic data is encrypted at rest and in transit. Access is limited to a small number of authorised personnel. Every access is logged. It is never shared in identified form with any third party. When it is processed by our AI system, it is sent in a form that cannot be linked back to you.
Who sees your genetic data — and who never does
GeneAI's secure platform system processes your genetic data. Authorised GeneAI staff with specific need may access it under strict controls. The UK laboratory sees only your anonymised sample and results — never your identity. Our AI system (Anthropic Claude) receives only anonymised data — never any information that could identify you. No commercial partner, advertiser, insurance company, or government body ever receives your genetic data.
4. The Double-Blind System
GeneAI uses a double-blind anonymisation system to protect your identity throughout the analysis process. Here is how it works in plain terms:
The GCC collection laboratory
The clinic or laboratory in your country where your sample is collected knows who you are — because they need to schedule your appointment and verify your identity locally. However, when they hand over your sample, it is labelled only with an anonymous code. They are never told which UK laboratory will receive it, what analysis will be performed, or what the results are.
The UK analysis laboratory
The UK laboratory receives your sample with only an anonymous case code — never your name, nationality, location, or any other identifying information. They perform the genomic analysis and return results tagged to that case code only. They never know who collected the sample or who you are.
GeneAI's system
Only GeneAI's encrypted database holds the mapping between your identity and your case code. This mapping is stored with additional encryption, access controls, and audit logging. When your results come back from the UK laboratory, the system re-links them to your account so you can view your report — but this re-linking happens in a controlled, audited environment, and your identity is never transmitted to the laboratory.
The result: the two parties with the most sensitive roles in the process — sample collection and genomic analysis — never know each other's identity, and neither knows who you are in the full sense. Your privacy is structurally protected, not just promised.
5. How to Withdraw Consent
You can withdraw consent for any scope at any time. You do not need to give a reason. There is no penalty. Here is how:
Log in to your GeneAI account and go to Profile > Privacy Settings.
You will see each consent scope displayed with its current status. Toggle off any scope you wish to withdraw.
Confirm your choice. The change takes effect immediately. You will receive an email confirming the withdrawal and explaining what happens next.
What happens to data already processed
Withdrawing consent stops all further processing immediately. It does not undo what has already happened. If your sample has already been analysed, that analysis exists — we cannot make a laboratory un-analyse a sample. However, your results will not be shared with any new party, your data will not be used for any new purpose, and no further processing will occur. Historical processing that was lawfully carried out before withdrawal remains lawful.
6. Research Use (Optional)
GeneAI offers an entirely optional programme to contribute to genomic research. Here is everything you need to know before deciding:
Only anonymised data: Your name, contact details, and all identifying information are removed before any data is used for research. The research dataset contains only genomic patterns and clinical indicators — nothing that could be traced to you as an individual.
Strictly opt-in: You will never be enrolled in the research programme without explicitly choosing to do so. This consent is never bundled with service consent.
Approved institutions only: Anonymised data is shared only with research institutions that have been vetted and approved by GeneAI, and only for specific, documented research purposes. We maintain a register of approved institutions available on request.
Never commercially shared: Your data is never sold to commercial entities. Research partners are academic or non-commercial institutions. No pharmaceutical company, insurer, or commercial entity receives your data.
Withdraw at any time: Remove yourself from the research programme at any time via Profile > Privacy Settings. Future data use stops immediately. Data already incorporated into published research cannot be removed from those publications, but no new use will occur.
7. Your Questions
Consent to genetic data processing is a significant decision. We want you to make it with complete understanding. Before you consent to anything on GeneAI, please contact us if you have any question at all — no matter how small it may seem.
Consent Team
Email: consent@geneai.com
We aim to respond within one business day. There is no obligation to proceed after contacting us.
GeneAI Ltd — Your consent. Your data. Your choice. — consent@geneai.com