The juggernaut private investment, equity, and real estate firm Blackstone, purchased Ancenstry.com in a $4.7 billion buyout in 2020, giving the firm access to the world’s largest consumer DNA database.
Blackstone, according to economic website Investopedia, Blackstone possess the world’s largest amount of assets under management (AUM), and was considered the world’s largest warehouse landlord in 2021 – which was a growing trend due to the economic fallout that began in 2020, where companies began snatching up warehouses to better adapt to supply chain shortages.
‘Blackstone, the world’s largest private equity firm, invests in nearly everything in the global economy: biomedical research, digital payments, autonomous robots, power plants, motel chains, dating apps, and a slew of amusement parks including SeaWorld and Legoland,’ Private Equity Insights wrote, discussing the firm becoming the largest warehouse manager.
NOTE: Do not be confused with another similar company called Blackrock. While both companies are similar, they are different entities. Both Blackrock and Blackstone are affiliates and partners with the World Economic Forum (WEF). The WinePress has reported on some of Blackrock’s exploits last year:
WEF’s Partner BlackRock Closes In On The Once Unthinkable $10T In Assets
The WEF – who says “You’ll own nothing and be happy” by the year 2030 – describes who Blackstone is on their site:
The Blackstone Group is an investment and advisory firm seeking to create positive economic impact and long-term value for its investors, the companies it invests in, the companies it advises and the broader global economy.
Its alternative asset management businesses include the management of corporate private equity funds, real estate funds, hedge funds, funds of funds, debt funds, collateralized loan obligation vehicles, and closed-end mutual funds. It also provides financial advisory services, including M&A and restructuring and reorganization, and fund placement services.
Similarly to Blackrock, Blackstone has also been getting into the buying/renting neighborhoods and apartments game, too. In other words, “you’ll own nothing and be happy.”
As for their purchase of Ancestry.com, even though this buyout occurred in 2020, it is now starting to see the light of day again, as it has been circulating on social media platforms in recent days.
Ancestry has “this enormous database which inherently has a lot of value hidden in it — potential energy.
Laura Hercher, director of human genetics research at Sarah Lawrence College, said at the time
Stat News explained, ‘Ancestry’s deal with Blackstone appears geared toward doing just that — as well as expanding Ancestry’s appeal in international markets. The company, which operates in more than 30 countries and is the largest consumer DNA database in the world, said it is generating revenues of $1 billion a year.’
Looking ahead, in collaboration with Blackstone, we will continue to leverage our unique content, powerhouse consumer brand and technology platform to expand our global Family History business while bringing to life our long-term vision of personalized preventive health.
Ancestry CEO Margo Georgiadis said in a release.
We believe Ancestry has significant runway for further growth as people of all ages and backgrounds become increasingly interested in learning more about their family histories and themselves,”
David Kestnbaum, senior managing director at Blackstone, also stated in that release.
Some – understanding some of the WEF’s intentions, along with the deep pockets these firms have – have stated that now the firm not only has a stakehold on assets, but now own people’s DNA; with even accomplished MMA fighters sounding the alarm on this, along with other concerned citizens.
However, the fact checkers claim this is more hoopla and not true.
Newsweek reached out to Blackstone for comment and clarification, and the company told them this:
As we’ve said repeatedly, Blackstone has not and will not access user DNA data. To be crystal clear, doing so was never part of our investment thesis – period.
We invested in Ancestry because it is a clear leader in its industry with a digital subscription business that has continued to grow significantly.
Our focus from the start has been on providing capital to help the company invest in its core family tree product—further enhancing their already stellar resources for customers, and increasingly appealing to a wide cross section of families across ages and backgrounds.
Matt Anderson for Blackstone
Ancestry also responded to Newsweek’s request for comment, who said:
Ancestry’s terms and conditions and privacy statement that is in effect for our users remains the same. Ancestry’s commitments to protect its customers’ personal data has not changed.
Ancestry does not sell or share customer DNA data with insurers, employers or third-party marketers, nor do we share customer personal information with law enforcement unless compelled to by a valid legal process. Ancestry’s commitment to these robust consumer privacy and data protections remain unchanged under our new ownership.
A representative for the company stated
In short, Newsweek declared, ‘Blackstone does not own the DNA which Ancestry.com collects from its customers. Ownership of that information was not part of its 2020 takeover of the genealogy business. Contrary to the concerns on social media, Blackstone’s purchase is not a new type of takeover either. Ancestry.com has been majority owned by investment and equity firms for many years.’
AUTHOR COMMENTARY
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
1 Timothy 1:4; Titus 3:9
Spending your time and money focusing in on genealogies are not something a Christian should involve themselves with, but Blackstone sees great profitability in buying a large company that’s a harbinger for people’s genetic code.
Even if what Blackstone and Ancestry says is true, it is quite hard to ignore the elephant in the room that this group is affiliated with the WEF: and we all know what they are about. Moreover, The WinePress has reported on the definite growing trend and future of buying, selling, and altering DNA; so, being the pessimist that I am, I have a hard time believing the sales pitch that Blackstone has never taken a “peaksy” at the DNA databases; or Ancestry, who could have quietly sold people’s info under the table to other companies – similarly to how tech databases sell our personal data for a shiny coin all the time.
[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).
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