Call me old fashioned, but plopping my DNA onto a third-party source seems … well, unseemly.
Unless they buy me dinner first.
Let’s see what 23andMe’s recent bankruptcy filing actually means for you.
Privacy
23andMe’s recent bankruptcy filing has raised significant concerns about the privacy and security of its customers’ genetic data. It’s almost like we’re a mish-mash! (This is a good thing, mutts are awesome.)
DNA tests are …
With over 15 million users entrusting their sensitive information to the company, the potential sale of assets during bankruptcy proceedings poses risks regarding how this data might be handled by new owners.
As a New York native, we described this as no bueno.
Will your DNA get sold?
Cool, great, awesome. And the answer is possibly.
Privacy experts and officials, including the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and various state attorneys general, have expressed apprehension about the possibility of personal genetic information being sold or misused.
They want people to proactively delete their data from 23andMe’s platform to mitigate potential exposure.
Despite 23andMe’s assurances that data privacy remains a priority and that any potential buyers must comply with existing privacy policies and applicable laws, everyone’s kinda going “ehhh not sure we trust you.”
There have been other breaches before
The company’s previous data breach in 2023 (yeah it happened before — which exposed information of nearly 7 million users, so good luck there) has further eroded trust.
Experts also caution that deleting data may not guarantee complete removal, super fun, as residual information could still be vulnerable during asset transfers.
It’s in your best interests to take immediate steps to protect your genetic information.
Frankly I can’t believe that’s a sentence I needed to write. Rejiggering includes deleting their data through their 23andMe accounts and requesting the destruction of any stored biological samples. Staying informed about the bankruptcy proceedings and understanding the implications for personal data is crucial during this uncertain period. Sent Your DNA to bankrupt 23andMe? Might be Some Problems
