DNA testing service 23andMe filed for bankruptcy protection in March, sparking issues about what might happen to the genetic data of the corporate’s 15 million prospects.
Pharmaceutical large Regeneron announced in May that it was shopping for the genetic testing firm for $256 million following a chapter public sale. Whereas the corporate has mentioned it’ll keep 23andMe’s privateness practices, it additionally acknowledged that it might use the 23andMe knowledge to help the invention of latest medicine. Extra not too long ago, TTAM Analysis Institute (a nonprofit led by 23andMe’s co-founder and former CEO Anne Wojcicki) was announced as the winner in a new round of bidding.
When 23andMe filed for chapter, safety specialists and lawmakers cautioned prospects to take motion to guard their knowledge. This week, 23andMe’s interim chief govt Joseph Selsavage instructed lawmakers that 1.9 million people, or about 15% of its customer base, have requested to delete their genetic knowledge. Selsavage shared the quantity throughout a Home Oversight Committee listening to the place lawmakers scrutinized the corporate’s sale.
Additionally this week, greater than two dozen states sued 23andMe to challenge the sale of its prospects’ personal knowledge. The states argue the corporate should get hold of specific consent from its prospects earlier than promoting their knowledge.
In case you’re one of many 15 million individuals who shared their DNA with 23andMe, we’ve outlined the steps you possibly can take to guard your self. When you can’t delete all of your 23andMe knowledge, there are some issues you possibly can management.
How one can delete your 23andMe knowledge
To delete your knowledge from 23andMe, you must log in to your account after which comply with these steps:
- Navigate to the Settings part of your profile.
- Scroll all the way down to the choice labeled 23andMe Knowledge.
- Click on the View possibility and scroll to the Delete Knowledge part.
- Choose the Completely Delete Knowledge button.
You’ll then obtain an e mail from 23andMe with a hyperlink that may mean you can affirm your deletion request.
You may select to obtain a replica of your knowledge earlier than deleting it.
There is a crucial caveat, as 23andMe’s privateness coverage states that the corporate and its labs “will retain your Genetic Info, date of start, and intercourse as required for compliance with relevant authorized obligations.”
The coverage continues: “23andMe will even retain restricted info associated to your account and knowledge deletion request, together with however not restricted to, your e mail tackle, account deletion request identifier, communications associated to inquiries or complaints and authorized agreements for a restricted time frame as required by legislation, contractual obligations, and/or as crucial for the institution, train or protection of authorized claims and for audit and compliance functions.”
This primarily signifies that 23andMe could preserve a few of your info for an unspecified period of time.
How one can destroy your 23andMe check pattern and revoke permission in your knowledge for use for analysis
In case you beforehand opted to have your saliva pattern and DNA saved by 23andMe, you possibly can change this setting.
To revoke your permission, go into your 23andMe account settings web page after which navigate to Preferences.
As well as, in case you beforehand agreed to 23andMe and third-party researchers utilizing your genetic knowledge and pattern for analysis, you possibly can withdraw consent from the Analysis and Product Consents part in your account settings.
When you can reverse that consent, there’s no approach so that you can delete that info.
Test in with your loved ones members
After you have requested the deletion of your knowledge, it’s necessary to test in with your loved ones members and encourage them to do the identical as a result of it’s not simply their DNA that’s vulnerable to sale — it additionally impacts folks they’re associated to.
And when you’re at it, it’s value checking in with your folks to make sure that your entire family members are taking steps to guard their knowledge.
This story initially printed on March 25 and was up to date June 11 with new info.