PA Residents Could Have Genetic Data Sold: What You Should Know

PENNSYLVANIA —Detailed information regarding the DNA of some Pennsylvanians soon could be sold as part of the bankruptcy proceedings involving genetic testing company 23andMe, state Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning.

Numerous bidders are likely to submit offers for the DNA data bank and other assets of the company, which declared bankruptcy in March. Attorney Christopher Hopkins said during a Tuesday court hearing that there has been "robust" information in the data of the company's 15 million customers, according to a Bloomberg report.

“Our expectation is that we will receive multiple competitive bids," he said.

That's likely because genetics can reveal everything from a person's health predispostions to their food preferences and offer considerable potential for everything from medical research to advertising, CNN reported.

Sunday said that while his office is not directing all 23andMe customers to delete their accounts "we encourage those consumers to consider such action as there are some uncertainties as to what will happen to the very sensitive data and information obtained by the company. Pennsylvanians should be aware of a potential sale of their information as part of the bankruptcy process.”

As noted in the frequently asked questions page on the 23andMe bankruptcy administration website, “Customers still have the ability to delete their data and 23andMe account.”

Consumers with 23andMe accounts can delete both their accounts and personal genetic data with the following steps:

To delete genetic data from 23andMe:

1. Log into your 23andMe account.
2. Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
3. Scroll down to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
4. Click “View” next to “23andMe Data.”
5. Download your data if you’d want to retain a copy of your genetic data for personal storage.
6. Scroll down to the “Delete Data” section.
7. Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
8. Confirm your request by following the instructions emailed to you by 23andMe. You must confirm the request to have your data removed.

If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under “Preferences.”

If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers to use your genetic data and sample for research, you may withdraw consent from the account settings page under Research and Product Consents.”

Consumers who have been impacted by the bankruptcy of 23andMe may submit a complaint to the Bureau of Consumer Protection online or they may call the attorney general's office consumer protection hotline at 1-800-441-2555.

Consumers also are facing a July 14 deadline to file a claim if their personal and/or genetic information was exposed in a 2023 23andMe data breach. The company is facing a class action lawsuit as a result of the breach.