I expect all Governments have got their citizens' DNA by now, one way or another.....
The DNA screening of newborn children in the US is no secret (
CDC). But it might surprise some to know that it's been going on for
60 years. Some states keep these DNA samples indefinitely, as a little Google searching will reveal. The consent of parents is often not required, and parents may not even be informed that this testing is being done.
But isn't Brian's topic about
security instead of DNA? I am a 23andMe customer and my data has likely been caught up in this breach. But I'm not freaking out about it, at least not yet. I've changed passwords on their website, and I don't re-use passwords. My credit is "frozen" with all three major credit bureaus. I don't think there is yet any capability for a criminal to "pretend to be me" using any DNA results they may have obtained... or I've never heard of such a thing.
I might be more worried if my fingerprint or iris scan were leaked on the dark web, but I don't use any
biometric authentication to log into anything. Our faces are probably already very well catalogued from work ID, school ID, driver's license, and of course... social media. Even though I don't use facial recognition tools, I'm still subject to their use on me in public spaces. We all are, and there are cameras nearly everywhere now.
Like most things, DNA technology can be both good and bad. DNA screening of newborns for genetic abnormalities is a good thing, but we can all easily see the potential for misuse. Computers, cars/motorcycles, guns... can all help us and help protect us... or can kill us. Well, okay, a computer isn't likely to kill you by itself, short of electrocution... but it can sure mess you up if used carelessly, especially financially. But also physical harm could happen as a result of things like doxxing, swatting, or other bullying.