Re:23andMe Is Monetizing Your DNA the Way Facebook Monetizes...
by kbenson on Sunday July 10, 2016 @08:19PM
(#12067958)
> > > I just want to pay for a service or product and have that be the end of my interaction with the company as well as the end of the company's use, possession, and monetization of my data.
> Do you really compare DNA and phone numbers?
I think you've let the prior context of the discussion influence your interpretation of my point. My comment had two two main points. First, that we've never really had a system where transactions did not convey some additional information about us, our preferences, and the market (what's more, "my data" is an interesting and often under-explored topic, IMO. If data wants to be free, and you go spreading it around, do you really have a singular claim to it anymore?). Second, there are competing interests of the individual and society when we are talking about aggregating data that might yield substantial benefits for people in general (as in the human race). We've made considerations about this before, such as with vaccination.
I'm not making a case that a private company should be able to keep all info about your genetic makeup and profit from it privately. I am taking a position that we should carefully consider the possible benefits of aggregating genetic info, the possible downsides in loss of privacy and other possible problems, see if there are ways we can increase the benefits and/or decrease the downsides, and try to make an informed decision, with the minimum FUD possible.
> Do you really compare DNA and phone numbers?
I think you've let the prior context of the discussion influence your interpretation of my point. My comment had two two main points. First, that we've never really had a system where transactions did not convey some additional information about us, our preferences, and the market (what's more, "my data" is an interesting and often under-explored topic, IMO. If data wants to be free, and you go spreading it around, do you really have a singular claim to it anymore?). Second, there are competing interests of the individual and society when we are talking about aggregating data that might yield substantial benefits for people in general (as in the human race). We've made considerations about this before, such as with vaccination.
I'm not making a case that a private company should be able to keep all info about your genetic makeup and profit from it privately. I am taking a position that we should carefully consider the possible benefits of aggregating genetic info, the possible downsides in loss of privacy and other possible problems, see if there are ways we can increase the benefits and/or decrease the downsides, and try to make an informed decision, with the minimum FUD possible.