https://gizmodo.com/why-a-dna-test-is-actually-a-really-bad-gift-1820934113
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/what-you-re-giving-away-those-home-dna-tests-n824776

Reasons for not getting your DNA tested (consumer type test, i.e. 23 and me, etc.):

1. Privacy, or lack thereof.
2. The information can be shared without your knowledge, depending on the company's policy. “There is no legal limit on what they could do other than the agreement that you enter into with them which they may or may not choose to follow,” Greely added. “If they don’t follow it, the chance you would ever find out is very, very low.” https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/what-you-re-giving-away-those-home-dna-tests-n824776
3. Genetic data can be used against you.
4. Genetic data can affect your insurance coverage.

Or perhaps they're just announcing information they've known, or repeating what they previously announced to a prior generation of recruits.

Can't know from what's said. All that's left are our assumptions, not any conclusion.

but as you point out there is no way to tell from this article when/if this was communicated out previously.

When I retired, I asked for it back... they laughed.

but if you want to try one of those other sites they will let you send your DNA there.

Big brother doesn’t need to be watching when people flock to give away their information.

My boyfriend is certain he has unknown siblings around the globe. His dad was a good god fearing Christian with 5 marriages under his belt.

They don’t care who sees their info or has their info. They know that the cell phone company will give them a new phone every year if they just give them their old one and they don’t even think twice about that. They are willing to put all of their personal information online and they don’t think it matters. No one ever had to worry about the government or corporations getting their info because they have convinced parts of some older generations and almost an entire younger generation to happily offer it up.


The DNA kits should have been a red flag to everyone.

One, I don't delude myself into thinking that my life is that interesting because honestly, it really isn't. The only people I expect to care about my life are my family and friends, and even then I don't feel the need to obsessively share every little detail. I don't understand why some people seem to need external validation from people they barely know, or don't know at all.

And two, once you give that information away, there's no getting it back. As a wise person once said, "The Internet is forever, children." Even if you delete your Facebook profile entirely, Facebook still has the data in a server farm somewhere, and they just can't wait to sell it to someone. Ditto Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Google, Apple, etc. etc.

As another wise person once said, "Every business sells a product of some kind. For Facebook, the product is you."

doesn't believe privacy is protected?

It used to be that if you were not home, you didn't get the phone call. Somehow we all survived.

We like toys. And we are increasingly convinced we need these toys and will happily give up our rights for them.

Religion isn’t the opiate of the masses anymore. It’s tech.

Not for me!

You described us as well as yourself.
As someone said above, I don't get the fascination with putting one's life on constant display.
If one is a major player in performing arts, that comes with the territory. But, the reward offsets the risks.
What do ordinary folks get out of this full bore exposure?

Obtaining DNA swabs from every military member for more than 20 years.

Mandatory. You have no choice as a military member but to provide it.

Go figure.

... connect you to family members and relatives unknown to you. Whats the big deal?

Unfortunately, his father is deceased but we have been able to connect him to a large and loving family. We are so glad to know him and welcome him into the family.

I had it done for health reasons about 5 yrs ago. Best decision I ever made. My doctor was able to prescribe proper supplements to defeat my DNA deficiencies so I'm healthier now than when I was growing up.

Stop giving your DNA to the corporations, they will use it against you (think health insurance denial or insane cost). Just like you should never talk to the cops without an attorney present, you never give up your DNA without a court order.