A general attorney raised warning flags as 23andMe, a popular DNA testing firm, has recently filed for bankruptcy protection. Not only this but the company’s CEO and co-founder, Anne Wojcicki, has also resigned, as reported by the BBC.
The general attorney has advised and urged Americans who have used the company’s services to take action to help maintain their privacy.
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The California Attorney General’s message
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has urged Americans who have opted for 23andMe’s services to “consider invoking their rights” and destroying the “genetic data” it may hold under their possession.
After the company filed for bankruptcy, it expressed its “financial distress” and “substantial doubt about its ability to continue.”
Not the first time the company sparked controversy
The company first faced a mass data breach where seven million users had their data exposed in 2023. According to the BBC, hackers were able to gain access to data through users’ old passwords.
The company, however, alleges that the breached data doesn’t include DNA records.
Bonta made a statement
“California has robust privacy laws that allow consumers to take control and request that a company delete their genetic data,” Bonta said in a press release.
“Given 23andMe’s reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company,” Bonta added.
How consumers can remove their data from the company
The State of California’s Department of Justice, thoroughly explained: “Consumers can delete their account and personal information by taking the following steps.”
- Consumers can delete their account and personal information by taking the following steps:
- Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
- Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
- Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
- Click “View” next to “23andMe Data”
- Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.
- Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
- Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
- Confirm your request: You’ll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.
How they can destroy their test samples
Bonta’s office wrote: “If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under ‘Preferences.'”
The company’s chairman also spoke
In a statement, the company’s chairman, Mark Jensen, emphasized that “Data privacy will be an important consideration in any potential transaction.”
He reassured consumers about the company’s policies when it came down to safeguarding their data and being transparent about “the management of user data.”
