23andMe had a big data breach in 2023 that affected nearly 7 million customers|widdowquinn|CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
DNA testing kit 23andMe filed for bankruptcy over the weekend, stating it is up for sale, which means so is the data of millions of users.
The situation has people scrambling to delete their 23andme DNA data. Google searches for the same are one of the top trending.
Privacy advocates warn of serious risks, highlighting that DNA data, unlike passwords, cannot be changed once compromised. California Attorney General Rob Bonta advised users on how to delete their information and revoke access from being used in third-party research.
23andMe had a big data breach in 2023 that affected nearly 7 million customers, exposing its systems’ vulnerability to cyberattacks.
While the company insists it will comply with US privacy laws, critics note that federal regulations governing genetic data are weak, especially when held by tech companies rather than healthcare providers.
The looming sale has sparked debate about the commodification of genetic data.
Meanwhile, co-founder and recently resigned CEO Anne Wojcicki is trying to buy 23andMe and vows to keep user data safe and turn the company into a drug developer.
The company went public in 2021 and was valued at $6 billion. It has a market cap of $20 million now.