23andMe has filed for bankruptcy. What does this mean for your DNA data privacy?

Core Points - 23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, leading to concerns about the future of customer genetic data [4][6] - The company's co-founder and CEO, Anne Wojcicki, has resigned and plans to bid on the company during the bankruptcy sale process [5] - Privacy experts are advising users to consider deleting their data due to potential risks from new ownership and hackers [3][7] Company Situation - The bankruptcy filing aims to facilitate the sale of substantially all assets and reduce operational costs by rejecting certain lease contracts [6] - 23andMe intends to continue operations during the bankruptcy process [6] - The company has faced previous data breaches, including a 2023 incident that exposed the genetic data of nearly 7 million customers [8] Data Privacy Concerns - Experts highlight the sensitivity and value of genetic data, emphasizing that it is unique to each individual [9][10] - 23andMe claims it does not share data with health insurance companies or employers without user consent, but there are concerns about how data can still be used for targeted advertising [10][11] - California Attorney General has issued alerts regarding users' rights to delete their data amid the company's financial distress [12] User Data Management - Users can delete their data by accessing account settings and following specific steps to confirm deletion [13] - Users can also request the destruction of their saliva samples and withdraw consent for third-party research [14]