23andMe faces an uncertain future — so does your genetic data 

DNA and genetic testing firm 23 OME 2023 is in turmoil after breaking the data and its ongoing financial reduction. The one -time low monster now faces an uncertain future Over the company as bankruptcy23ndme’s about 15 million customer’s genetic data intensifies over what may be.

The best known for the saliva-based test kit that gives a glimpse of a person’s genetic descendants, 23 and failed to make a profit, has been priced more than 99% of the $ 6 billion peak since it was published in early 2021.

The lack of profit is the use of 23andme-once the consumer interest in the test kit and its subscription services unnecessary growth. The company was also a floor Verdic month long data breach It stole the ancestors of the ancestors of almost 2023 throughout 2023. Agency Agreed to September Provided $ 30 million to settle a case related to violation.

Less than a week later, the 25th founder and CEO Ann Wajiki said he was “considering the third -party techover proposals” for the organization. Ozikiki quickly went back to the statement, instead he said The company has planned to take personalThe However, the damage was done, and all members of the organization’s independent board resigned with immediate impact.

After filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2021, the resources of the company, including DNA data, will be sold through court-finals. Wadiki has resigned from the company.

Where does it leave the genetic data of millions of people?

23 and mainly bound by my own rules

As proved by its 2023 data violations, the hackers stole information like the genetic trend and predecessor report of users, 23 and I have collected a ton of information about its users.

If you are one of the many million people who have sent your saliva to know about your offspring 23 and May, you have been able to assume that this data will remain private under the law, such as health insurance laws and accountability laws. HIPAA, as it is known, determines the quality of protecting the sensitive health information from expressing a person’s knowledge or consent.

However, 23ndme is not a company under HIPA. For example, 23andme is basically bounded by its own privacy policy, which can change at any time.

The 21st OME spokesperson Andy Kill TechCrunch told Techchen that the company believes that it is “more suitable and transparent model for the data we manages,” than the HIPAA model appointed by the traditional health care industry “.

A chaos of federal control and state privacy laws in the end means that it means 23 and I am facing a sale of several million Americans on the table. The company’s privacy policy states that his customers’ personal information may be “access, selling or transferring” as part of bankruptcy, consolidation, acquisition, reconstruction or sale “.

Customer Data is also clear by Wajiki as a salable resource, who Informed the investors in the news This 23 and ME will not follow its expenditure drug development programs, and instead the customer’s data will focus on marketing for pharmaceutical companies and researchers.

23 and I have maintained that its data privacy policies will not change in any sale event. These principles say that the company will never share the users’ information with insurance agencies or law enforcement without any warrant. Subsequently, third -party DNA for genetic information has become increasingly increasing in agencies, however, 23 and 23 and so far have resisted all the US law enforcement requests for this national information, according to In its long -running transparent reportThe

23ndme’s potential buyers may have a completely different idea of ​​how the DNA data is potentially valuable trove. The Digital Rights Group is in favor of the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s privacy Has already called for a sales resist of 23andme To any organization related to law enforcement, warning that customers’ genetics can be used to explore the proof of crime in arbitrary crime.

“Our own promise to apply the terms of our privacy principles in the personal information of our customers in terms of sales or transfer is clear: 23 until presented with customers and new terms and statements – and the statements of privacy will have the terms of privacy – and after receiving appropriate notice of any new conditions under the applicable data protection law,”.

Actively deleting your account

Now with 23 and May bankruptcy, 23 and my customers are urging to take steps to protect their data from selling their data.

California Attorney General Rob Banta said in a statement after filed for bankruptcy that state residents have rights Claim to delete their genetic data Under state law.

End-to-end encrypted messaging app signals are the President of the Signal, Meradith Whitaker A post on x: “It’s not just you. If someone in your family gives them DNA [23andMe]For all of you, turn off your account right now “

Eva Galperin, director of EFF’s CyberSSCUM, also warned users to take action. “If you have a 23 and May account, today is a good day to login to delete your data and a good day to request,” says at Galperin X postsThe

Request to remove your data on 23andme is relatively easy.

Log in to your 23 OME account and navigate Settings > Account information > Delete your accountThe 23 Andm will request you to confirm your decision, warning that deleting your account is permanent and irreversible.

Have an important warning. 23ndme as mentioned in the Privacy Policy, delete the account “Requirement and some exceptions” in which the company can hold some of your data for an unprecedented period.

For example, 23andme will hold on as your genetic information, date of birth and gender “consent” and hold limited information related to your delete request, “your email address, delete request to delete, inquirers or complaints and legal contracts are not limited but not limited.”

Similarly, if you already agree to share your data for the purpose of research, you can reverses that consent, there is no way to delete that information. Kill tells TechCrunch that about 23 and about 12 million people – consent to participate in the research program.

First published on October 19, 2024 and updated later.