California Attorney-General Urges 23andMe Users to Delete Personal Data Amid Financial Uncertainty

In a bold move, California's Attorney-General Rob Bonta has advised users of the genetic testing firm 23andMe to erase their personal data from the platform, as noted by the New York Post. Given the company's ongoing financial challenges, including a devaluation from $6 billion to a mere $48 million and a recent data breach impacting millions, Bonta's warning is timely and underscores the broader concerns surrounding the data security of genetic testing entities. Users are reminded of their rights to request deletion of their data under California's Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These breaches exposed sensitive data of users, specifically targeting those of Ashkenazi Jewish and Chinese descent, leading to widespread apprehension about the future security of such information. The current climate surrounding 23andMe is further exacerbated by their CEO Anne Wojcicki stepping down and the company's decision to lay off a significant portion of its workforce. Compounded by a plummeting stock value, 23andMe faces potential bankruptcy, putting genetic and personal data of millions at risk. This scenario raises critical issues about consumer privacy and data protection, highlighting the urgent need for robust regulations. The potential risk of consumers' genetic data being mishandled during bankruptcy proceedings or sold to third parties is a looming threat not only for 23andMe's 14 million users but also for privacy norms at large. Legal experts from Harvard advocate for updated laws to protect genetic data, suggesting that existing health privacy laws like HIPAA may not sufficiently cover such private companies, emphasizing the need for consumer vigilance and informed decision-making regarding data sharing. As the biotech sector continues to develop, the balance between advancing scientific understanding and safeguarding privacy remains a pressing issue that demands attention from policymakers and consumers alike.