Minnesotans Urged to Take Action After 23andMe Goes Bankrupt

Data is a big concern, and mostly when we talk about that, it involves your financial data or internet browsing data, but a growing concern is the data that makes you, you. I'm talking about your DNA.

DNA testing services have been popular for years, and a handful of services like Ancestry and 23andMe can provide customers with data about their DNA, including ancestry and ethnicity, health and wellness insights, and family connections. But what happens to the data once you're done with it?

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23andMe Bankruptcy Puts DNA Data at Risk

That question is being put to the test right now. 23andMe, a company that has DNA data on thousands of Minnesotans and millions of Americans, has officially filed for bankruptcy, meaning all that data is in limbo.

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Privacy Concerns for Minnesotans During Chapter 11

During the Chapter 11 process, 23andMe says that customer data and privacy are "important considerations" and that any future buyer would be "required to comply with applicable laws when it comes to how it treats customer data." None of this sounds reassuring.

Experts and Officials Urge Action in Minnesota

That's why some experts and at least one Attorney General are urging customers to delete their data before it's too late. California Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement pointing out the amount of sensitive data that the company holds and urges users to take action by "directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company."

How to Protect Your DNA Data

Bonta gives step-by-step instructions on the deletion process here, but basically, just go into settings and find a section called "23andMe Data." You can download your data before you ask for it to be deleted.

A Wake-Up Call for Data Protection

It's a great reminder, as technology advances, to protect all types of data, including your DNA data. You don't want that to be part of a bankruptcy proceeding someday.