- 23andme has requested bankruptcy
- This means that the company and all its data are for sale
- Unfortunately it may include your personal information and your DNA but there are actions you can take right now
23andme – which monitored a viral increase in DNA tests a few years ago and was once worth over $ 6 billion. – Have requested bankruptcy and if you have ever used that service, your data could be on the table.
On March 23, the company announced that it has begun volunteering Chapter 11 procedure in the US Court Court “to facilitate a sales process to maximize the value of its business.”
The company said, “After a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives, we have decided that a court -monitored sales process is the best way to maximize the value of the company.”
The company seeks to sell “significantly all its assets” and this is bad news for customers who have ever used the service.
As Telegraph reports, 23andme was once worth $ 6 billion, but has seen revenue falling in recent years, reflecting a decrease in popularity of DNA testing. Now, with all its assets on the chopping block, could -DNA -Data, which was submitted to the company as part of its testing process, be for sale.
As the report notes, 23And contains a declaration of confidentiality, which all customers must accept to use the service, provisions that it may sell your personal information if they are ever involved in bankruptcy proceedings.
23andme Bankruptcy: Save your data
California’s law lawyer recently issued an urgent customer alarm that outlined some of the actions that customers can take to protect their data before 23andme sells them to the highest bidder.
Customers may delete their account and personal information on the 23andes website, specifically in Settings section of their profile.
Before doing so, you can also download a copy of your data to your personal storage before selecting “Delete Data” in 23andme -Data section.
If you have previously chosen to have your saliva and DNA stored by 23andme, you can also change this preference and get it destroyed by the business Preferences section.
Finally, you can also revoke your permission for your genetic data to be used for research in Research and product consent Section on the Account Settings page.
Alternatively, simply delete your account should Make sure your personal data, genetic data included, deleted.
These are primarily targeted at California’s consumers, but anyone who has ever used 23andme can access these settings and should be able to perform at least some of the steps to protect their data.
Alongside the bankruptcy proceedings, 23andme announced that CEO Anne Wojcicki is resigning her role with immediate effect.
