Source: Google Maps & Veverve on Wikimedia Commons
DNA testing company 23andMe went bankrupt last Sunday (23 March) and their customers’ genetic information is potentially up for sale.
The biotechnology company offers customers genetic testing for ancestry information.
Customers can send in a sample of their DNA for analysis through a testing kit and receive data on their ancestry and other genetic information.
Source: Veverve on Wikimedia Commons
Social media influencers made content about them analysing their assessments from 23andMe, with many of these videos going viral.
Source: YouTube
However, on 23 March, the company filed for bankruptcy and proposed an auction on 14 May to sell its assets.
The plan would also put the genetic information sent in by their over 15 million customers up for the highest bidder.
In an open letter, however, 23andMe claimed their users’ data would remain protected and private.
Source: Google Maps
Nonetheless, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an urgent alert on 21 March directed to customers.
The statement included instructions for the customers to get 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any DNA samples held.
Concerns over the security of genetic infomation were also influenced by a data breach in Oct 2023, which affected 6.9 million 23andMe customers.
Some netizens suggested that if an unethical person or company bought the data, they could sell it to health insurance companies for them to increase fees based on their genetic markers.
Source: Reddit
Other commenters felt vindicated about never having used a DNA testing company as there was no confirmation of what would happen with their data.
According to Reuters, the deletion of data minimises future risks for consumers but does not guarantee everything will be removed by 23andMe.
Also read: Forever 21 to close at least 200 stores in March as part of bankruptcy process
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Featured image adapted from Google Maps and Veverve on Wikimedia Commons.
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