How to Protect Your DNA Data After 23andMe's Bankruptcy Filing
As genetic testing giant 23andMe files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, millions of customers face an urgent privacy question: What happens to my DNA data now?The company's financial collapse could eventually lead to the sale of its assets to pay creditors—potentially including the genetic information of over 15 million people who have provided saliva samples over the years.For L.A. residents concerned about their genetic privacy, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a timely reminder that state laws provide strong protections. Both the Genetic Information Privacy Act and the California Consumer Protection Act give consumers the right to delete their data and have their biological samples destroyed.Here's your step-by-step guide to protecting your genetic information:
Delete Your Genetic Data:
Log into your 23andMe account on their website
Go to "Settings" in your profile
Scroll to "23andMe Data" at the bottom of the page
Click "View" next to "23andMe Data"
Download your data first if you want a personal copy
Scroll to "Delete Data" and click "Permanently Delete Data"
Confirm your request via the email link 23andMe sends you
Destroy Your Physical Sample: If you previously allowed 23andMe to store your saliva sample, you can revoke this permission from the "Preferences" section of your account settings page.Withdraw Research Consent: If you gave permission for your genetic data to be used in research, you can withdraw consent through the "Research and Product Consents" section in your account settings.The company's 2024 financial troubles, which led to a significant market value decline, have raised serious concerns about long-term data security. For customers who provided DNA samples with the promise of learning about their ancestry or health predispositions, this bankruptcy serves as a wake-up call about the potential risks of sharing genetic information with private companies.Taking these steps now ensures your most personal data—the genetic code that makes you who you are—doesn't end up in unexpected hands as 23andMe navigates its uncertain future.
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