Genetic testing company 23andMe has hit a rough patch and filed for bankruptcy, raising fresh worries about the safety of personal data from over 15 million customers.
Once celebrated as a Silicon Valley success story, the company sought Chapter 11 protection on Sunday after struggling with a drop in demand for its ancestry kits—once a highlight on Oprah Winfrey’s favorite things list—and grappling with the fallout from a data breach in 2023 that tarnished its reputation. They’ve managed to secure $35 million in financing and will keep operating while navigating the sale process.
Privacy experts are sounding the alarm, suggesting that this bankruptcy could pose serious risks to 23andMe’s extensive genetic database. I. Glenn Cohen from Harvard Law School warned that users’ DNA data might end up in the hands of new owners, a scenario that many customers never anticipated and could find quite unsettling.
Here’s how customers can delete their data from 23andMe:
- Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
- Navigate to the “Settings” section of your profile.
- Scroll down to the section labeled “23andMe Data.”
- Click “View” next to “23andMe Data.”
- Before deletion, you can download your genetic data if you wish to retain a personal copy.
- Scroll to the “Delete Data” section and select “Permanently Delete Data.”
- You’ll receive a confirmation email; follow the link provided to confirm your deletion request.
Additionally, you can:
- Destroy stored samples:
Go to your account “Preferences” and change your storage options to destroy your saliva sample and DNA. - Withdraw research consent:
Navigate to “Research and Product Consents” in account settings to revoke permission for your data to be used in research.
Unlike traditional healthcare providers, companies that offer direct-to-consumer genetic testing aren’t bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which is designed to protect medical data.
23andMe History: From DNA Testing Innovator to Bankruptcy Struggles
While there are laws like the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) that offer some protection against genetic discrimination, there are still significant gaps when it comes to overall data privacy.
Bankruptcy laws provide only limited oversight through federal courts and, in some cases, privacy ombudspersons, but these measures really only offer minimal security.
In the meantime, Anne Wojcicki, co-founder and CEO of 23andMe, announced her resignation on X, sharing her plans to become an independent bidder for the company she helped create.
23andMe History: From DNA Testing Innovator to Bankruptcy Struggles
During this leadership change, Chief Financial and Accounting Officer Joe Selsavage will step in as the interim CEO.
Wojcicki, who trained as a biologist at Yale and worked as a healthcare analyst, co-founded 23andMe back in 2006 with the goal of giving people direct access to their genetic information.
Her leadership and public persona were crucial in elevating the company to a prominent position in the consumer biotech space. Plus, her personal life has drawn media attention—she was previously married to Google co-founder Sergey Brin and later had a relationship with former baseball star Alex Rodriguez.
Wojcicki and Brin separated in 2013, and their divorce was finalized in 2015 after eight years of marriage.
23andMe History: From DNA Testing Innovator to Bankruptcy Struggles
News of the split came to light around the same time that rumors started swirling about Brin’s romantic connection with Amanda Rosenberg, a marketing executive who worked on the now-defunct Google Glass project.
While neither Brin nor Wojcicki has publicly confirmed that this affair was the reason for their separation, the media has often linked it to the end of their marriage.
Even after their split, Brin and Wojcicki have kept things private and have managed to maintain a friendly relationship, especially as they co-parent their two children.
In 2022, Brin—whose wealth was pegged at a staggering $140 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index as of Monday—filed for divorce from his second wife, Nicole Shanahan. She later made headlines as a vice-presidential candidate in the 2024 election, running alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Wojcicki was also briefly in a relationship with former Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, which lasted from early 2016 to early 2017. Their breakup was said to be mutual, with sources pointing to differences in their lifestyles and social circles.
Sadly, last summer, Wojcicki’s older sister, Susan Wojcicki, who was the former CEO of YouTube and an early Google employee working alongside Brin and co-founder Larry Page in the late 1990s, passed away at the age of 56 after a battle with lung cancer.
23andMe History: From DNA Testing Innovator to Bankruptcy Struggles
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