Business & Tech

23andMe Faces An Uncertain Future. Here's How To Delete Your DNA Data

23andMe, a genetic-testing and ancestry-tracing company, collects the most personal kind of data from its customers: their DNA.

(CBS Bay Area)

CBS Bay Area

BAY AREA, CA — 23andMe, a genetic-testing and ancestry-tracing company, collects the most personal kind of data from its customers: their DNA.

Now, after a data breach in late 2023 and a full board resignation, the company faces an uncertain future, and many customers believe the genetic information they once willingly handed over could be vulnerable. Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), suggested that 23andMe account holders take steps to delete data held by the company. "If you have a 23andme account, today is a good day to log in and request the deletion of your data."

"You have the ability to download data and delete your account if you're no longer interested," University of Iowa law professor and genetic privacy expert Anya Prince explained.

  • Login to your account and submit a request. The company then emails you a data deletion request confirmation, which you must verify. The deletion process then begins.

Click here for the full story via CBS San Francisco

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