Has anyone seen this article? I'd like to hear opinions, etc.

Question

https://www.komando.com/security-privacy/remove-your-data-from-this-ancestry-site-now/748931/

Comments

Scare mongering?

Answer 1

Removing information from ancestry now is not going to make any difference.  Everything is backed up and Blackstone can access that information, if it is supposed to have access.

The announcements have stated that Blackstone won't have access to user data, but anything is possible.

Answer 2

My opinion is known: this article is very right in that you should be very aware why/when/with whom you share your DNA. But that is not (just) because the company is now taken over by another Company/group.

You need to realize what can be done with your DNA profile (and thus of your direct lineage) in the wrong hands and value that against the profits you get by having the DNA marker data. And read very very carefully what else they can do with your DNA profile, and if that is really what you want.

Also note the USA law: anything stored there can be accessed by the US government. A lot of people think that is fine, another group doesn't. You need to make up your own opinion about it I am afraid.

For EU inhabitant: read the court order on the non validity of the safe harbour agreement and the later Privacy Shield