Following 23andMe’s bankruptcy filing on Sunday, New York Attorney General Letitia James has urged users to delete their accounts and protect their personal data. The company’s stock dropped by 59%, trading at just 63 cents on Monday, as it faced weak demand for its ancestry testing kits.
23andMe has made over 30 deals with companies, including British drugmaker GSK, granting them access to its vast genetic database, which holds data on more than 15 million users. However, many of these agreements remain undisclosed, raising concerns about how users’ sensitive data might be used or sold, especially as the company faces financial uncertainty.
Cybersecurity expert Adrianus Warmenhoven warned that genetic data is far more than personal information—it’s a “blueprint of your entire biological profile.” In the event of a company collapse, this valuable data could be sold, leading to potential exploitation. With 23andMe’s future in doubt, several users have begun deleting their accounts to safeguard their privacy, fearing that new owners could alter data usage terms.
Attorney General James urged users to act quickly, advising them to withdraw consent and delete their accounts to prevent misuse of their genetic information. The situation highlights the growing risks of digital privacy, especially when dealing with sensitive data like genetic information.
As 23andMe navigates bankruptcy proceedings, users must stay vigilant about the security of their personal data. Deleting accounts and revoking consent may offer some protection as the company’s future remains uncertain.
