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Re:23andMe is raising about $200M, led by Sequoia by criddell on Wednesday September 06, 2017 @02:51PM (#15186145)
I use Google for email, I have an Amazon Echo, and I'm thinking about trying 23andMe. The best case scenario is that I get utility or enjoyment out of these things. The worst case scenario is... what? What would you say the likely outcome is? Do you think I will regret having an Echo one day?
Re:23andMe is raising about $200M, led by Sequoia by problems on Wednesday September 06, 2017 @04:19PM (#15186800)
> Do you think I will regret having an Echo one day?

Certainly some people have. A court case recently had Amazon turn over Echo recordings.

Similarly, your DNA could be used to place you in relation to a crime scene whether you committed that crime or not. I certainly don't want someone I bumped into earlier to have my DNA on them when their body is found if my DNA is trivially searchable. I'd much rather have them need to go through me and my lawyer before any of that is possible.

Re:23andMe is raising about $200M, led by Sequoia by criddell on Wednesday September 06, 2017 @09:45PM (#15188571)
The likelihood of either of those scenarios is pretty tiny. The value of DNA sequencing and virtual assistants is real and substantial.

I don't like the better-safe-than-sorry argument when it comes to security. I think it leads to bad policy and bad decisions. I've been thinking about this after I read a story[1] about a family that has been told that they cannot let their young kids ride a city bus by themselves. It's a similar argument - the value of kids gaining independence is big and the risk of something atrocious happening is tiny.

[1]:https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/09/06/a-dad-in-bc-l...

Re:23andMe is raising about $200M, led by Sequoia by problems on Wednesday September 06, 2017 @11:50PM (#15189022)
It's not "better-safe-than-sorry", but a simple cost-benefit analysis of the risks and stakes presented.

Depends on your lifestyle and how valuable you think these things are, but I find these things almost entirely valueless. I think virtual assistants are basically total trash - I can type my query on my damn phone faster and more accurately than the Echo or Google can get it - and I just see no value in DNA sequencing unless you're looking for a specific medical condition, the fluffy interest in stuff like racial makeup just seems like a shitty trade-off to me.

Re:23andMe is raising about $200M, led by Sequoia by Faark on Thursday September 07, 2017 @08:40AM (#15191268)
A bad policy can be undone, publishing data can not. So I understand people want to play it safe more so on the later one.

Also keep in mind that with DNA you are not just making the decision for yourself. Your relatives share significant parts of your DNA, thus the potential risks will affect your brothers kids /etc as well. Consider asking their opinion / getting their consent.

Re:23andMe is raising about $200M, led by Sequoia by criddell on Thursday September 07, 2017 @10:55AM (#15192399)
> the potential risks

I'm willing to tolerate a pretty high level of risk. I either drive my car or ride my bicycle to work 5 days a week. I've gone scuba diving before. I rode a motorcycle for 30 years (I just sold it). I occasionally eat fast food. Crazy, right?

For 23andMe, do you know of some ways that people have actually been harmed by their test results? I wonder what percentage of their customers regret signing up?

Re:23andMe is raising about $200M, led by Sequoia by sjg007 on Wednesday September 06, 2017 @02:58PM (#15186199)
It'll just be widespread NSA style surveillance.
Re:23andMe is raising about $200M, led by Sequoia by criddell on Wednesday September 06, 2017 @03:21PM (#15186377)
That's a good point. I've been under this type of surveillance for quite a while now and as far as I know, there haven't been any negative consequences for me.
Re:23andMe is raising about $200M, led by Sequoia by bduerst on Wednesday September 06, 2017 @06:18PM (#15187587)
Most contrarians here quote nightmare/slippery slope scenarios as to why you don't want it, but in reality, you're more likely to be negatively affected by slipping in the shower.

I doubt most of the people intentionally avoiding Alexas and 23andMe also have shower pads that help prevent slipping. This is why I think most of this anxiety comes down to some combination of neo- & techno-phobia, like we saw with GMO crops.