23andMe Data Delete: The privacy community reacted strongly after genetic testing giant 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Customers are growing more concerned about the future of their personal information as the company auctions its DNA data to potential buyers.
Why the 23andMe Bankruptcy Puts DNA Data at Risk: Since its establishment in 2006, the company has gathered genetic information from millions of customers. As it solicits offers, the question of who will possess this data remains open.
23andMe Data Delete: Unlike medical data held by healthcare providers, genetic information from companies like 23andMe isn’t protected by HIPAA.
A cyberattack in 2023 hacked the data of 6.9 million users, raising more concerns about the security of private information.
How to Clear Your 23andMe Data
Users can take precautions to protect their genetic data. To request the removal of data, follow these steps:
- Log in to your 23andMe account after opening it.
- Navigate to Settings > Privacy.
- Select “Request Account Deletion.”
- Refuse Third Parties Access: Verify whether any legitimate permits exist that permit the use of your data for research.
In order to preserve user privacy, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has also reminded users of their rights and urged them to delete their data as soon as possible.
What Experts Are Saying
Privacy advocates, including Tazin Kahn, CEO of Cyber Collective, warn of the lack of control users have over their genetic data. “Folks have absolutely no say in where their data is going to go,” Kahn stated.
Attorney Andrew Crawford from the Center for Democracy and Technology further emphasized the absence of federal regulations on genetic data when it is held by private companies.
Looking Ahead
While 23andMe maintains that data protection remains a “top priority,” many question how the sale of the company’s data could impact users. With no clear buyer in place, the fate of millions of DNA profiles hangs in uncertainty.
For those concerned about their genetic privacy, the best immediate action is to delete data and revoke access to third-party studies.
Source: NBC News
