🔥 Urgent Privacy Alert: 23andMe Bankruptcy Sparks Data Concerns – How to Delete Your Genetic Information Now!

🧬 Why the 23andMe Bankruptcy Is a Major Privacy Red Flag

In March 2025, 23andMe filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. While the headlines may focus on financial restructuring, experts warn this could become a landmark case in data privacy and digital ethics.

23andMe, known for ancestry and health DNA testing, stores extremely personal genetic data for over 15 million users. Bankruptcy now raises a chilling question: What happens to your DNA if the company is sold or liquidated?

Despite the company’s reassurance that data security remains intact, 23andMe bankruptcy 2025 privacy advocates are urging users to take steps before ownership changes or data policies shift.

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🛡️ Why Cybersecurity Matters More Than Ever

Cybersecurity is essential for safeguarding personal identity — and when it comes to genetic data, the risks multiply.

Here’s Why This Is a Cybersecurity Crisis:

• DNA can’t be changed like a password.
• Breach of genetic info = life-long risk of profiling or identity theft.
• 2023 Hack at 23andMe exposed 7 million users — including targeted attacks by ethnicity.
• Bankruptcy often weakens cybersecurity defenses, making data systems vulnerable.
• Future buyers might exploit or misuse data, especially if consent terms change.

In short, cybersecurity isn’t just about your email or bank login — it’s about protecting your most permanent asset: your DNA.

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⚠️ What Happens If You Don’t Act?

If 23andMe is acquired or its assets sold, there’s a real possibility your genetic data could:

• Be transferred to a new owner with different policies
• Be sold or licensed for research or marketing
• Be subject to reduced oversight and consent enforcement

That’s why  state attorneys general like Rob Bonta and Letitia James are strongly encouraging customers to delete their data.

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🛠️ How to Delete Your Genetic Data on 23andMe

Here’s a quick guide to protect your information before it’s too late:

✅ Step 1: Download Your Data (Optional)

1. Log into your account.
2. Go to Settings > 23andMe Data > View.
3. Download a copy of your raw DNA data.

❌ Step 2: Permanently Delete Your Data

1. In the same section, click Permanently Delete Data.
2. Confirm via the email sent by 23andMe.

🧪 Step 3: Destroy Your Stored DNA Sample

1. Navigate to Settings > Preferences.
2. Request destruction of your biological sample.

🔕 Step 4: Revoke Consent for Research

1. Go to Research Consent within Settings.
2. Uncheck any participation or sharing permissions.

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📜 Know Your Legal Rights

Although HIPAA doesn’t apply to 23andMe (since it’s not a healthcare provider), state-level protections do offer some control:

• California’s GIPA law lets users delete data and revoke consent.
• New York and New Hampshire also advise deletion and data protection.
• Bankruptcy law may treat data as a “transferable asset,” so act before decisions are out of your hands.

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💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why is 23andMe’s bankruptcy a cybersecurity issue?

Because sensitive genetic data could be transferred or sold. Bankruptcy proceedings can weaken data protection protocols, and new owners might not uphold the same privacy standards.

2. Can 23andMe legally sell my DNA data?

While they must follow data protection laws, bankruptcy can complicate consent agreements. If you don’t delete your data, it may legally transfer to another entity.

3. What if I already deleted my account?

Deleting your account does not automatically delete your data or sample. You must manually request deletion and sample destruction.

4. Is my DNA covered under HIPAA?

No. Since 23andMe isn’t a healthcare provider, HIPAA does not apply. You’re protected only by consumer privacy laws, which vary by state.

5. How long does it take for 23andMe to delete my data?

After you confirm via email, data deletion typically happens within 30 days, and sample destruction may take a bit longer.

6. Should I download my DNA data before deleting it?

That depends on your needs. If you want to use the data elsewhere (e.g., another genetic service), download it first — but store it securely!

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🔚 Final Thoughts: Your Data, Your DNA, Your Decision

The 23andMe bankruptcy is more than a business headline — it’s a wake-up call about the importance of digital and genetic privacy. Don’t wait until your data is out of your control.

Follow the steps above to:

• Download and delete your data
• Revoke all research permissions
• Destroy your biological sample

Take control of your genetic identity — before someone else does.

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