As 23andMe goes bankrupt, millions of people’s DNA data is up for sale
With genetic testing company 23andMe declaring bankruptcy and courting bidders, the DNA data of millions of users is up for sale, sparking privacy concerns.
With genetic testing company 23andMe filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and courting bidders, the DNA data of millions of users is up for sale.
A Silicon Valley stalwart since 2006, 23andMe has steadily amassed a database of people’s fundamental genetic information under the promise of helping them understand their disposition to diseases and potentially connecting with relatives.
But the company’s bankruptcy filing Sunday means information is set to be sold, causing massive worry among privacy experts and advocates.
“Folks have absolutely no say in where their data is going to go,” said Tazin Khan, CEO of the nonprofit Cyber Collective, which advocates for privacy rights and cybersecurity for marginalized people.
“How can we be so sure that the downstream impact of whoever purchases this data will not be catastrophic?” she said.
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