The DNA 23AndME testing service has suffered serious turmoil in recent months, raising concerns about the 15 million customers who have assigned their personal biological information to the company. Following the deposit for capital protection 11, the company, the company became the center of a bid war that ended on Friday when co -founder Anne Wojcicki said it had successfully reiterated control through the non -profit TTAM Research Institute for $ 305 million.
Bankruptcy procedures have shocked through the genetic test industry and among privacyers, with security experts and legislators urging customers to take immediate action to protect their data. The company’s provisional chief executive revealed this week that 1.9 million people, about 15% of the 23ndMe customer base, have already requested their genetic data to be deleted from the company’s servers.
The situation became even more complicated last week after more than two dozen states archived lawsuits Causing the sale of customer private data, arguing that 23andme must obtain explicit consent before the transfer or sale of personal information to any new entity.
While company policies mean that you cannot delete all traces of your genetic data – especially the information that may have already been shared with research partners or stored in backup systems – if you are one of the 15 million people who share their DNA with 23AndMEs, you can still take you.
How to delete your data 23 and
To delete your data from 23AndME, you must log into your account and then follow these steps:
- Go to Arrangements Part of your profile.
- Move down to highlighting the choice 23 and data.
- Click on Goddess Select and move to Deletion of data part.
- Choose the Permanently delete data button.
You will then receive an email from 23andme with a link that will allow you to confirm your deletion request.
You can choose to download a copy of your data before deleting it.
There is a significant warning, such as the 23ndMe Privacy Policy says that the company and its laboratories “will maintain your genetic information, date of birth and gender, as required to comply with applicable legal obligations”.
Policy continues: “The 23AndME will also maintain limited information on your account and data deletion request, including, for example, of your email address, of your account deletion request, communications related to questions or complaints and legal agreements for a limited period of time, as required by law, requirements for both acoustics and compliance.
This essentially means that 23AndMe can keep some of your information for an unspecified amount of time.
How to destroy the 23ndMe test sample and recall permission to use your data for research
If you have previously chosen to have your saliva sample and DNA stored from 23andme, you can change this setting.
To recall your license, go to your account settings page and then go Preferences.
In addition, if you previously agreed to 23 and third parties who use your genetic data and the sample for research, you can withdraw consent from the Research and consensual products Section on your account settings.
While you can reverse this consent, there is no way to delete this information.
Check in with your family members
Once you ask for deletion of your data, it is important to check in with your family members and encourage them to do the same because it is not only their DNA that is in danger of selling – it also affects the people they are related to.
And while you are in it, it is worth checking with your friends to ensure that all of your loved ones are taking measures to protect their data.
This story was first published on March 25 and was informed on June 11 with new information.
