Popular genetic testing and information company 23andMe declared bankruptcy on Sunday and saw the resignation of its founder and CEO Anne Wojcicki, throwing into question what would become of the sensitive information the company has collected.
Under the Chapter 11 filing, the company is seeking to “sell substantially all of its assets” through a court-supervised auction.
More than 15 million people submitted DNA information to 23andMe during its 18 years in business. In a statement, 23andMe said that information would be safe.
“[W]e are committed to continuing to safeguard customer data and being transparent about the management of user data going forward, and data privacy will be an important consideration in any potential transaction,” Mark Jensen, chair of the Special Committee of 23andMe’s board of directors said.
However, California’s attorney general on Friday issued an alert to people who have used the company’s services that they can request their personal information be deleted under the Genetic Information Privacy Act.
The California AG’s office recommends these 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, consumers can delete their account and genetic data and have their biological sample destroyed. In addition, GIPA permits 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 Associated Press contributed reporting.
