When you open the preferences in uTorrent, you will see a new DNA entry in the left menu. The preference lists a small explanation at the top:

Bittorrent DNA is a content delivery system that reduces publisher server load by using Bittorrent peer-to-peer delivery. Is is used only for content that you request.

DNA is enabled by default, at least in the latest test version of uTorrent 3.1. With DNA enabled, users may be able to download data that is powered by DNA faster. The service won’t accelerate standard torrent downloads.

It works exactly like those MMORPG downloaders that Blizzard and other companies offer. These downloaders use official servers and other users who download the data to speed up the downloading. DNA seems to be basically the same deal. Please note that you will also distribute part of the data to other users whenever you download with DNA enabled.

If you do not download data from websites or services that support DNA, you should consider disabling Bittorrent DNA in the preferences as it is of no benefit to you.

Just uncheck Enable DNA powered downloads to block Bittorrent DNA from being used by uTorrent. You may also check Alert me when DNA-powered downloads are added to uTorrent to receive notifications when downloads that make use of DNA are added to uTorrent.

Please note that DNA can also be distributed as a separate client alongside programs, games and other contents on websites. The program works in the same way but is completely independent of the Bittorrent client.

Remote is another new feature. Unlike DNA, it is disabled by default. The technology can be used to connect to the client from a web browser to manage and control the Bittorrent software remotely.

You need to supply a username and password and check the Enable uTorrent Remote Access feature. All you need to do then is to open the remote service on the uTorrent website and enter your computer name and password to remotely connect to the uTorrent client.

Hope this answers some of the questions that users may have when they encounter Bittorent DNA and uTorrent Remote for the first time.

On Friday another blunder came to light, not related to filesharing but to privacy and ethics which somehow connects it to warning letters case.

The British Government has apparently passed millions of DNA profiles to private companies without the consent of the involved. Since 1999 the Government has accepted 25 requests for access to the database which contains 4.2 million DNA profiles of British citizens.

Officials quickly let everyone know that the data was stripped of information that could connect it to the person behind.

Paul Debenham, the director of innovation and development at LGC, said: “It is like being given a list of number plates but having no idea about the make of the car.”

A fairly interesting quote. I’m not familiar with the British Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (Welsh: Asiantaeth Trwyddedu Gyrwyr a Cherbydau) but they probably keep records of drivers and their license plates in their database.

A spokesman for the National Policing Improvement Agency, which oversees the database, said: “These are completely anonymous profiles which are not identifiable in any way. After approval, they were made available for authorised research purposes demonstrating, clear, potential operational benefit to the police in terms of detecting and solving crime.”

Where have we heard this before?