DELAWARE ATTORNEY GENERAL WARNS RESIDENTS TO PROTECT GENETIC INFORMATION AMID 23ANDME BANKRUPTCY

State of DE - Attorney General Kathleen Jennings has issued a warning to Delaware residents who have used 23andMe's genetic testing services to take immediate action to protect their genetic data, following the company's recent bankruptcy filing. Jennings expressed concerns about the possibility of 23andMe selling its genetic database as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.

"Your genetic profile is the most personal of personal information," said Attorney General Jennings. "My office has learned that 23andMe may seek to sell its genetic database to the highest bidder during bankruptcy. That is an unacceptable risk. Delaware residents should act now to protect their genetic information."

Jennings emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that although 23andMe is currently accepting deletion requests, there is no guarantee that this option will remain available as the bankruptcy process continues.

Once the process concludes, any remaining genetic data that has not been deleted will either be controlled by the company's new owner or sold off as an asset to other parties.

To ensure the privacy and security of their personal information, users of 23andMe's services are encouraged to request the deletion of their data as soon as possible.

Customers of 23andMe can submit requests to have their genetic data removed from the company's database. Specific instructions for submitting deletion requests are available on the 23andMe website.

The Delaware Department of Justice also recommends that residents familiarize themselves with their data privacy rights by visiting privacy.delaware.gov.

Attorney General Jennings highlighted the importance of taking proactive measures to protect personal data, particularly genetic information, as it is highly sensitive and uniquely personal. Residents are encouraged to act swiftly to avoid potential misuse of their genetic profiles in the event of a sale.