23andMe Bankruptcy: Expert Reveals How to Protect Your Genetic Data

23andMe's Financial Troubles

• 💡 23andMe, once valued at $6 billion, has filed for bankruptcy protection.
• 📌 This situation raises significant privacy concerns for the over 15 million people whose genetic information the company holds.

Personal Genetic Data Concerns

• 🧬 An individual shares a personal experience of anxiety after receiving predisposition results for macular degeneration from 23andMe in 2013.
• 💬 The potential for unexpected relatives to be discovered through ancestry services is highlighted as another privacy consideration.
• ⚠️ The company's current valuation is significantly lower than its 2021 peak, with its future now subject to bankruptcy court proceedings.

Potential Buyers and Data Risks

• 🎯 Potential buyers could include pharmaceutical companies or insurance companies, each posing different risks for data usage.
• 📈 A pharmaceutical company might use the data for drug development, while an insurance company could assess future health risks.

Actions to Protect Your Data

• 🚨 Opt out of arbitration immediately, as 23andMe has updated its terms to require arbitration for legal recourse, with a 30-day window.
• ⚙️ Regularly review and adjust privacy preferences with any DNA testing company to understand data sharing and recipients.
• 🚫 Limit or disable participation in studies, even if data is claimed to be anonymous, as buyers may still link it to individuals.
• 💾 Download your entire genetic record and store it securely offline, especially if you no longer wish for your data to be held by the company.
• 💻 The California Attorney General recommends deleting data from 23andMe, a step some users are contemplating.

Recent Data Breach

• 📉 A data breach in 2023 affected 7 million customers, significantly impacting the company and leading to the resignation of its CEO, Witzky.