Many 23andMe customers joined the genetic testing service to discover intriguing details about their ancestry. However, consumer advocates are now advising users to request the deletion of their accounts and data to safeguard their genetic information from falling into unintended hands.
Based in San Francisco, 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced its intention to pursue a sale after years of struggling to establish a sustainable business model. This situation implies that the company and the genetic information of its 15 million customers will soon be available to the highest bidder.
During the sale process, the company claims it will not alter how it manages or protects customer data. Mark Jensen, the board chair of 23andMe, stated that “data privacy will be an important consideration in any potential transaction.”
Nevertheless, a new owner could significantly change how user data is handled and utilized. California Attorney General Rob Bonta highlighted concerns about health and life insurance companies interested in this data and issued a consumer alert urging users to consider deleting their accounts.
To delete a 23andMe account, customers should log in, navigate to the “Settings” section, and proceed to the “Delete Data” section to permanently erase their data. Users can also withdraw consent for third-party research use under “Research and Product Consents.”
The company’s privacy policy currently assures that identifiable genetic data won’t be sold, but it can be altered at any time. Federal law, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, offers some protection but does not cover life insurance companies.
— news from CNN