The office of Finland's Data Protection Ombudsman is launching an investigation into Helsinki University's transfer of data to a Chinese gene technology company.
Yle previously reported that the university had purchased genetic analysis services from the Chinese BGI Group, a biotechnology company.
The Data Protection Ombudsman said it has requested information from the university on how it managed the transfer of data related to human research samples to the Chinese firm.
Now the Ombudsman is investigating whether the university protected personal data in line with data protection laws when sending information to China.
"Data transfer is secure if the necessary protective measures are in place. Otherwise, there is a risk that personal data could be used for purposes other than those intended. For example, the state may have access to the data," Data Protection Ombudsman Anu Talus told Yle.
Earlier this month, the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service (Supo) warned against excessively sharing Finnish health and genetic data with foreign entities. The organisation cautioned that such information could, in the worst case, be exploited for developing and targeting infectious diseases at specific populations.