If you are among the 15 million individuals who shared your DNA with 23andMe, it is advisable to delete your data immediately. The genetic information company, known for its saliva test kits, announced it is heading to bankruptcy court to sell its assets. This financial distress prompted California Attorney General Rob Bonta to issue a privacy alert, urging Californians to invoke their rights and request 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any genetic material samples.
The company stated there will be no changes to how it protects consumer data during bankruptcy proceedings. However, unless you act, there is a risk your genetic information could end up in someone else’s hands and be used in unforeseen ways. Deleting your data on the 23andMe website takes only a minute, and instructions are provided below.
Founded in 2006, 23andMe was a pioneer in unlocking knowledge from the human genome, offering customers insights into their family tree and hereditary traits while researching new treatments. However, the company has faced business and security challenges in recent years. It went public in 2021 but burned through its cash, reducing its value from about $6 billion to approximately $50 million. In 2023, a data breach affected some 7 million customers, with hackers using old passwords to access personal information.
Privacy advocates express concerns about the risks of leaving sensitive data with 23andMe. There is a possibility that your data could be sold or transferred to a new company with different intentions. Additionally, a new owner might alter the company’s practices and privacy policy. The DNA data could reveal relatives, ancestry, family secrets, and predispositions to diseases, potentially impacting insurance coverage.
However, you do have rights over your data. The California Consumer Protection Act of 2018 grants you the right to delete data from businesses collecting it. California also has a Genetic Information Privacy Act, allowing you to delete your account, destroy biological samples, and revoke consent for using or disclosing genetic data. Before deleting, consider downloading your data and storing it securely.
— news from The Washington Post