Given recent developments—including 23andMe’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, CEO resignation, and a significant data breach exposing user information—it’s advisable to consider deleting your genetic data and account from their platform.
Steps to Delete Your 23andMe Data and Account:
- Log In: Visit the 23andMe website and sign in to your account.
- Access Settings: Navigate to your account settings by clicking on your profile and selecting “Settings.”
- Locate Data Deletion: Scroll to the “23andMe Data” section at the bottom of the settings page.
- View Data: Click “View” next to “23andMe Data.”
- Download Data (Optional): If you wish to retain a copy of your genetic data, select the option to download it before proceeding.
- Delete Data: Scroll to the “Permanently Delete Data” button and click it.
- Confirm Deletion: Follow the prompts, including confirming your request via an email sent by 23andMe.
Additional Considerations:
- Sample Destruction: For California residents, under the Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA), you have the right to request the destruction of your biological sample. To do this:
- Log in to your account.
- Navigate to “Settings” > “Preferences.”
- Adjust your sample storage preferences as desired.
- Data Retention: Be aware that 23andMe may retain certain data to comply with legal obligations, even after deletion requests.
- Privacy Concerns: Given the company’s financial instability and past data breaches, consider the potential risks of your genetic data being accessed, sold, or transferred.
For more detailed information, refer to 23andMe’s Customer Care and the California Attorney General’s Consumer Alert.