23AndMe Files For Bankruptcy. If You Use This Service, DELETE Your Data, NOW!

[RAMROD 117,983]

 

After extended financial uncertainty and recent layoffs, 23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and CEO Anne Wojcicki, whose takeover bids failed, has stepped down.

The genetic testing company has the genetic data of more than 15 million customers — and California Attorney General Rob Bonta is warning users to purge their data sooner rather than later.

In a news release announcing the bankruptcy filing, 23andMe chair Mark Jensen thanked the company’s employees and assured the security of customer data

The company added in a letter to customers: “Any buyer of 23andMe will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data.”

https://www.conchovalleyhomepage.com/news/consider-deleting-your-23andme-data-now-california-ag-urges/amp/

https://blog.23andme.com/articles/open-letter

 

California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert to customers of 23andMe, a genetic testing and information company. The California-based company has publicly reported that it is in financial distress and stated in securities filings that there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Due to the trove of sensitive consumer data 23andMe has amassed, Attorney General Bonta reminds Californians of their right to direct the deletion of their genetic data under the Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Californians who want to invoke these rights can do so by going to 23andMe's website. 
 

To Delete Genetic Data from 23andMe:

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.

 

To Destroy Your 23andMe Test Sample:

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.”

 

To Revoke Permission for Your Genetic Data to be Used for Research:

If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers to use your genetic data and sample for research, you may withdraw consent from the account settings page, under “Research and Product Consents.”

Under GIPA, California consumers can delete their account and genetic data and have their biological sample destroyed. In addition, GIPA permits California consumers to revoke consent that they provided a genetic testing company to collect, use, and disclose genetic data and to store biological samples after the initial testing has been completed. The CCPA also vests California consumers with the right to delete personal information, which includes genetic data, from businesses that collect personal information from the consumer.   

 

https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-urgently-issues-consumer-alert-23andme-customers

[Fatigay 21,232]

27 minutes ago, RAMROD said:

The company added in a letter to customers: “Any buyer of 23andMe will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data.”

The applicable law?

Thank god the US is not in a tech-oligarch era where a dangerous president has the tech industry licking his feet, asking for (and getting) more and more deregulation by the day! And good thing the administration doesn’t have a complete lack of respect for the judicial branch, who could block laws compromising individual privacy..!

Otherwise the consequences could be severe!

[LateToCult 42,117]

Deleted all my data from it when I didn’t find a single cute guy among the few that uploaded a profile picture.

[Helxig 45,641]

See I always wanted to do a DNA test (would still love to) but it feels crazy giving my DNA to a random company to archive

Also how does a company like this go under?? I would've thought they'd be thriving. Did the owners do something stupid?

[freebit 6,264]

I remember a writer I follow on twitter had a grandmother who grew up in Nazi Germany, and she told her to NEVER give anyone your blood and was highly suspicious of 23andme. I read these tweets talking about her grandmother about 7 or 8  years ago, and while I agreed and heeded this advice, I did think it seemed a bit extreme, and that it might never be a concern, but things have changed so quickly tbh. 

[Gagaism 12,487]

I used it for a few years ago and my membership got expired and now I can’t get into the account to delete the data … fuvk

 

update: just got to delete it all

[gumzy3000 7,953]

Omg I bought a kit a month ago and my lazy ass did not do anything with it. Anyone know if I can return it or is my $100 wasted now?

[Aleks 3,946]

5 hours ago, gumzy3000 said:

Omg I bought a kit a month ago and my lazy ass did not do anything with it. Anyone know if I can return it or is my $100 wasted now?

They'd probably be begging you to give them $100 more atp