23andMe Bankruptcy: Why You Should Delete Your Genetic Data Now
The recent bankruptcy filing of 23andMe, a prominent genetic testing company, has raised significant concerns regarding the privacy and security of the genetic data of its approximately 15 million customers. Despite the company's assurances that data protection measures remain unchanged during the bankruptcy proceedings, legal experts and privacy advocates are urging users to proactively delete their data to mitigate potential risks.
On March 23, 2025, 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, aiming to facilitate a sale process to maximise the value of its business. Anne Wojcicki, the co-founder and CEO, resigned immediately but continues to serve as a board member. The company's Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, Joe Selsavage, has assumed the role of interim CEO. This decision follows a series of financial challenges, including a significant decline in demand for DNA testing kits and a substantial data breach in 2023 that exposed sensitive information of nearly 7 million users.
The bankruptcy proceedings have intensified concerns about the future handling of customer genetic data. While 23andMe has stated that there will be no changes to the way it stores, manages, or protects customer data during the sale process, the potential transfer of data to new ownership raises questions about future data usage policies. Legal experts highlight that federal laws offer limited protection for genetic information held by private companies, making it imperative for consumers to take proactive steps to safeguard their data.
In light of these developments, customers are advised to delete their genetic data from 23andMe's database and request the destruction of any stored biological samples. California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasised the importance of invoking these rights to protect sensitive personal information.
To delete your data, log in to your 23andMe account and go to ‘Settings’ under your profile. Scroll to the ‘23andMe Data’ section, select ‘View’, and then ‘Permanently Delete Data’. Confirm your request via the email prompt. If you wish to retain a copy of your data before deletion, you can download it from the same section. Additionally, customers can request the destruction of their saliva sample and withdraw any research consent via the ‘Preferences’ and ‘Research and Product Consents’ sections, respectively.
The bankruptcy of 23andMe serves as a critical reminder of the importance of data privacy, especially concerning sensitive genetic information. Customers are encouraged to take immediate action to delete their data and request the destruction of biological samples to prevent potential misuse. Staying informed and proactive is essential in safeguarding personal genetic data in an evolving corporate landscape.
References
Time. (2025). 23andMe Has Filed for Bankruptcy. What Does This Mean for Your DNA Data? https://time.com/7271153/23andme-filed-bankruptcy-data-privacy/
NPR. (2025). As 23andMe Files for Bankruptcy, Experts Say Delete Your Genetic Data Now. https://www.npr.org/2025/03/24/nx-s1-5338622/23andme-bankruptcy-genetic-data-privacy
CBS News. (2025). How to Delete Your 23andMe Data. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-delete-23andme-data
MarketWatch. (2025). Why You Should Delete Your 23andMe Account. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-you-should-delete-your-23andme-account-heres-the-worst-that-could-happen-if-your-dna-data-is-exposed-d33bb25f
New York Post. (2025). Calif. AG Issues Stark Warning to 15 Million 23andMe Users as Bankruptcy Looms. https://nypost.com/2025/03/23/us-news/calif-ag-issues-stark-warning-to-15-million-23andme-users
