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Impacts of 23andMe's Bankruptcy on Data Privacy
The recent bankruptcy filing of genetic testing company 23andMe, valued at $6 billion just a few years ago, raises significant questions about the security and privacy of the millions of users who entrusted their DNA data to the firm. Following a tumultuous period marked by failed attempts to shutter the business privately, CEO Anne Wojcicki's departure highlights the fragile state of consumer trust in genetic testing services. As the company now prepares for an undisclosed sale, users face the urgent need to evaluate their digital safety and privacy rights.
Your Rights to Data Deletion
In California, consumers have legal protections allowing them to request data deletion, which the state's Attorney General Rob Bonta has reiterated recently. However, similar safeguards are not universally applicable across the U.S.; users in many states lack the same legal recourse. Those residing in Washington state or within the European Union possess enhanced rights through specific legislative acts such as the My Health My Data Act and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), respectively. These protections permit individuals to assert their rights more firmly in an increasingly complicated landscape of data privacy.
How to Delete Your Data from 23andMe
For current 23andMe users wishing to safeguard their genetic information, the company provides a straightforward process to delete personal data. Users can log into their account, adjust settings to download necessary information, and then initiate the deletion process. It's crucial to fulfill this step promptly as the evolving nature of corporate ownership may expose data to further vulnerabilities. Additionally, the option to destroy biological samples adds an additional layer of assurance for those concerned about long-term data exposure.
Ongoing Privacy Concerns in Genetic Testing
Amid these developments, experts underscore that many digital privacy policies may lack substantial safeguards. Andrea Downing, a security expert, states that the continuing absence of national health privacy laws in the U.S. exacerbates the situation. Moreover, seasoned privacy advocates like Kenn White warn that without definitive laws protecting consumer genetic data, owners of such information are "pretty much on [their] own." Therefore, regular users of genetic testing services must remain vigilant and proactive regarding their privacy.
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