California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an urgent alert to customers of 23andMe following the company’s bankruptcy filing. Bonta recommended that customers delete their genetic data immediately, citing the sensitive nature of the information held by the genetic testing company.
The bankruptcy filing comes after a series of financial troubles for 23andMe, including layoffs and a data breach in 2023 that exposed the personal information of millions of users. Co-founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki resigned ahead of the bankruptcy announcement, expressing her belief in the company’s future despite the challenges it has faced.
Despite the Attorney General’s warning, 23andMe stated that they will not be changing how they store, manage, or protect customer data. The company plans to secure a partner who shares their commitment to customer data privacy.
For customers who wish to delete their data from 23andMe, the California attorney general’s office provided steps to follow. This includes logging into your account, accessing the “Settings” section, and selecting the option to permanently delete data. Customers can also choose to destroy their test sample and revoke permission for their genetic data to be used for research.
Overall, customers are advised to take action to protect their privacy and ensure the security of their genetic information in light of 23andMe’s financial difficulties.
