Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued a consumer alert regarding 23andMe’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy, raising concerns about the potential transfer or sale of consumers’ genetic information. He advised Marylanders to consider deleting their accounts to protect their sensitive data, noting that 23andMe allows users to remove their information through account settings.
Per the news release issued Wednesday, March 27: “Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today issued a consumer alert concerning the recent bankruptcy filing of genetic information company 23andMe. 23andMe’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy has raised concerns about how consumers’ genetic information will be protected.
23andMe, which experienced a data breach last year that compromised more than seven million people’s genetic information, has stated that it intends to continue operating throughout the bankruptcy proceedings. The bankruptcy may result in the transfer or sale of the genetic information held by the company.
23andMe has reassured consumers, however, that they “still have the ability to delete their data and 23andMe account.” Attorney General Brown reminds Marylanders that genetic information is highly sensitive and suggests they consider deleting their accounts to protect their personal information.
Consumers who wish to delete their 23andMe account and the sensitive information it contains can log into their account and, using the account settings, permanently delete their data by following the steps on this page: 23andMe Account Settings.
This alert was issued to all consumers who have subscribed to receive consumer information from our office. Consumers can subscribe to this list here: MDAG Consumer Alerts.”