Customers urged to consider deleting their data after genetic testing company collapses

Summary

Genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, putting the DNA data of millions of users at risk of being sold.

Privacy advocates have urged consumers to delete their data amid fears it could be sold to data brokers or used for targeted advertising.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta advised customers to consider deleting their profiles after the company’s share price crash heightened concerns.

CEO Anne Wojcicki reportedly rejected three takeover bids before the bankruptcy filing, raising questions about the company’s future and data protection.

  • Komodo Rodeo@lemmy.world
    744·
    5 days ago

    I say this without schadenfreude, but I fucking called it straight out of the gate.

    Every single person who was enticed or cajoled into submitting these tests as a novelty or curiosity has potentially compromised the personal security of every single member of their immediate & extended family, as well as their descendants. At the very least, those parties previously mentioned may face ludicrous rates for life/health insurance or outright denial of coverage. The company to which they submitted their genetic code no longer exists, and their family’s entire biological blueprint is on the auction block. Think before you make decisions, people.

    • Phoenixz@lemmy.ca
      112·
      5 days ago

      Think before you make decisions, people

      Are you really saying that now, in the trump era after trump actually won by votes?

      • Komodo Rodeo@lemmy.world
        3·
        4 days ago

        I am 100%. Just because you say something doesn’t mean that someone else will agree, but if you don’t say it they’ll turn around and claim that no one disagrees with them. The doltish Red Wave certainly wasn’t for lack of debates or opposition, but it bears saying anyway.

    • dzsimbo@lemm.eeEnglish
      4·
      4 days ago

      their family’s entire biological blueprint

      I don’t believe this part holds up. The type of sequencing you’re talking about is an incredibly labor- and time-intensive task. The good folk at these fastfood laboratories are just comparing historical markers and shooting off a list of what those markers tell about you.

      It still remains to be seen if insurance companies will eat this data up or not, but they will have trouble providing any justification for dismissing claims without sounding pretty racist.