Politics

Nessel says 23andMe users should consider deleting accounts in wake of company’s bankruptcy

Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging consumers who have previously used genetic testing service 23andMe to consider requesting the deletion of their personal data as the company goes through bankruptcy.

23andme
Ken Coleman/Michigan Advance

BY ANDREW ROTH, MICHIGAN ADVANCE

MICHIGAN—Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging consumers who have previously used genetic testing service 23andMe to consider requesting the deletion of their personal data as the company goes through bankruptcy.

While 23andMe has said that operations will continue as usual during the bankruptcy proceedings, including how personal data is stored and protected, Nessel said her office has been monitoring the company as part of an investigation into an October 2023 data breach that exposed the personal information of nearly seven million Americans.

“23andMe collects and stores some of the most sensitive personal information, our genetic code,” Nessel said. “With the company now in bankruptcy, customers should be aware of the potential risks and consider deleting their accounts to protect their data.”

Users can request their genetic data and test samples be destroyed in their account settings.

READ MORE: Michigan AG sounds alarm after Trump administration fires consumer watchdogs

This coverage was republished from Michigan Advance pursuant to a Creative Commons license. 

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Kyle Kaminski
Kyle Kaminski Chief Political Correspondent
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