23andme - DNA Sequencing Services...

[Herbal witch]

DNA in distress: 23andMe’s bankruptcy puts 15 million Americans’ genetic data at risk – a national security crisis? – NaturalNews.com

23andMe, once valued at $6 billion, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after years of unprofitability, market saturation and failed pivots, leading to a 99.7% stock drop and mass layoffs. The bankruptcy raises urgent concerns about the fate of sensitive DNA data belonging to 15 million Americans...

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DNA in distress: 23andMe’s bankruptcy puts 15 million Americans’ genetic data at risk – a national security crisis?
03/25/2025

COLLAPSE
DNA in distress: 23andMe’s bankruptcy puts 15 million Americans’ genetic data at risk – a national security crisis?
03/25/2025 // Willow Tohi // 500 Views

Tags: 23andMe, American DNA, bankruptcy, big government, Bubble, Collapse, Dangerous, data protection, debt bomb, debt collapse, espionage, genetic data, genetic lunacy, genomics, national security, privacy watch, risk

• 23andMe, once valued at $6 billion, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after years of unprofitability, market saturation and failed pivots, leading to a 99.7% stock drop and mass layoffs.
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• The bankruptcy raises urgent concerns about the fate of sensitive DNA data belonging to 15 million Americans, with fears it could be acquired by foreign adversaries or hostile entities.
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• Experts warn that genetic data — unlike other breaches — cannot be reset and could be weaponized for espionage, blackmail, or bioweapon targeting, particularly by nations like China with a history of aggressive DNA collection.
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• Former CEO Anne Wojcicki plans to bid for the company, but skepticism remains about her leadership. The U.S. government may need to intervene to block foreign buyers, as it has in past biotech deals.
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  The situation underscores the need for swift regulatory action to prevent a "genetic Pearl Harbor," where adversaries could exploit Americans’ biological data for geopolitical gain
• The situation underscores the need for swift regulatory action to prevent a "genetic Pearl Harbor," where adversaries could exploit Americans’ biological data for geopolitical gain

The collapse of 23andMe, once a Silicon Valley darling valued at $6 billion, has sent shockwaves through the tech and healthcare industries — but the real crisis lies in the fate of the genetic data belonging to 15 million Americans. The company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on Sunday night, coupled with the abrupt resignation of CEO Anne Wojcicki, raises alarming questions about who will ultimately control this treasure trove of sensitive DNA information — and whether it could fall into the hands of foreign adversaries

According to the media, you can delete your personal information by going on line, find your account, then delete all the accompanying info when you sent in the sample.

Unfortunately, I don't believe the actual strand of DNA can be deleted. I'm not sure at this point. It is indeed alarming.

 

[Alejo]

The most compelling part of the articles being written about this bankruptcy is this, from what I can gather:

Why does this matter? Genetic data is uniquely sensitive. Unlike credit card breaches, DNA can’t be reset. It reveals family lineages, predispositions to diseases and even ethnic backgrounds—information that could be weaponized by foreign governments for espionage, blackmail, or bioweapon targeting.

And well, the article goes on to say that:

China, for example, has aggressively pursued genetic data globally, as seen in its mass DNA collection campaigns in Tibet and Xinjiang. If a hostile state-linked entity acquires 23andMe’s database, the consequences could be catastrophic.

But I keep thinking two things, from my ignorance of course, one, is 15 million american samples enough to develop a bioweapon of enough precision? with the diversity in the US, maybe it won't be super precise or at least not as precise as it could be through other means. But that is from my ignorance of course, I am sure I could be missing factors that might make it possible to be really precise genetically.

But secondly, let's say that it is possible, I find it funny how they're immediately aiming at China, or a foreign government when it is far more likely that any effort aimed at utilizing genetic data to develop bioweapons, would be domestic. The US has been observed and reported making this very effort, collecting DNA samples of Russian nationals.

So, maybe this is going to be a big nothing burger. Or maybe this could be the way in which they explain whatever next major sickness takes hold of the planet, maybe the real pandemic.

 

[Herbal witch]

According to the media, you can delete your personal information by going on line, find your account, then delete all the accompanying info when you sent in the sample.

Unfortunately, I don't believe the actual strand of DNA can be deleted. I'm not sure at this point. It is indeed alarming.

Update: Now it seems you may be able to delete more than previously thought. Hope this helps anyone here who has their data with this company.
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How to delete your 23andMe data after the company filed for bankruptcy​

March 25, 202512:24 PM ET

The genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The genetic testing company 23andMe, best known for allowing people to trace their ancestry with an at-home kit, has been struggling financially for months.

So when the California biotech firm announced in a statement this week that it had entered the federal bankruptcy process with the goal of finding a buyer, one question was raised for the more than 15 million users of the service: What's going to happen to my data?

The company insists customers' information is protected. But if you would like to opt out entirely, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has released this eight-step guide to deleting your genetic data from 23andMe:

1. Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
2. Go to the "Settings" section of your profile.
3. Scroll to a section labeled "23andMe Data" at the bottom of the page.
4. Click "View" next to "23andMe Data"
5. Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.
6. Scroll to the "Delete Data" section.
7. Click "Permanently Delete Data."
8. Confirm your request: You'll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.

Bonta also provided this advice for destroying your test sample and revoking permission for genetic data to be used for research:

• If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under "Preferences."
• If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers to use your genetic data and sample for research, you may withdraw consent from the account settings page, under "Research and Product Consents."

In an open letter to customers this week, 23andMe said filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy "does not change how we store, manage, or protect customer data. … Any buyer of 23andMe will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data."

The company also sought to assure customers that access to their account and data was unchanged.

When it comes to protections around data, some states have adopted laws covering genetic privacy. At least 11 U.S. states have enacted laws giving consumers a say in how their genetic data is used, according to an article published in 2023 by Anya Prince, a University of Iowa law professor who studies health and genetic privacy.

Technology​

23andMe is filing for bankruptcy. Here's what it means for your genetic data​

Those laws typically let users request that the companies delete their data and require law enforcement agencies to get a warrant or subpoena to access genetic information, Prince said, adding that 23andMe already adheres to both of those policies.

23andMe also says any genetic data it shares with researchers is stripped of identifying information, such as names and birth dates. In its bankruptcy FAQ, the company said it hopes to "secure a partner who shares in its commitment to customer data privacy."

 

[genero81]

I followed those directions yesterday. Not that I think it's necessarily going to remove it for sure (maybe) but as an action I can take to signal that I don't give permission to use my data for other purposes. FWIW

 

[Beau]

I deleted mine a few days ago after saving what I wanted from it.

 

[Kay Kim]

Kiss Your Genetic Privacy Good-Bye! 23andMe Gets Green Light to Sell Your Intimate Genetic Details to Anyone They Want – NaturalNews.com

In the age of data breaches and corporate corruption, the story of 23andMe is a cautionary tale of how personal genetic data can be weaponized against individuals and their descendants. As 23andMe teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, the company is poised to sell off the genetic data of millions...

www.naturalnews.com

Kiss Your Genetic Privacy Good-Bye! 23andMe Gets Green Light to Sell Your Intimate Genetic Details to Anyone They Want
03/29/2025

In the age of data breaches and corporate corruption, the story of 23andMe is a cautionary tale of how personal genetic data can be weaponized against individuals and their descendants. As 23andMe teeters on the brink of bankruptcy, the company is poised to sell off the genetic data of millions of customers, setting the stage for a dystopian future where your DNA can be used against you by governments, corporations, health insurance companies and even foreign nations.

23andMe, the genetic testing company that has amassed a vast trove of personal genetic data, is facing a crisis. The company, once valued at billions, has seen its stock plummet by over 95%. Nearly all the board (other than Anne Wojcicki), has resigned. This collapse has left the company with one valuable asset: the genetic data of its customers. The plan is to sell this data to the highest bidder, a move that will have far-reaching consequences for those who trusted the company with their most intimate biological information... the details of which can be weaponized against individuals

 

[gdpetti]

Does anyone really think that delete function is for real? or perhaps that data has already joined the cloud at the metadata centers?

 

[Jefferson]

Does anyone really think that delete function is for real? or perhaps that data has already joined the cloud at the metadata centers?

I think deleting would keep the DNA info away from most commercial interests, but the spooks likely have access to mostly everything.

 

[Honzap]

Yep, delete or request deletion if not possible doing it yourself.

However, any sys_admin worth their salt has been/is doing at a minimum incremental back-ups daily. So the data has been copied to several offline locations long time ago and deleting your profile will not affect any of that. Also as mentioned in earlier comments, the data has become commodity and at this point has been most likely sold to multiple parties.

What world we are living in

 

[SOTTREADER]

Most likely scenario is all DNA info sent to private companies ends up in the hands of government for research on populations. Doesn't matter what the company says about data security and the like.

Same applies to data from wearables I think and from your health provider.

 

[Alejo]

Most likely scenario is all DNA info sent to private companies ends up in the hands of government for research on populations. Doesn't matter what the company says about data security and the like.

True, the data being sold, or stolen, doesn't have to be tied to a company going bankrupt.

 

[Kay Kim]

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Regeneron acquires 23andMe for $256 million, sparking privacy concerns over genetic data
05/21/2025 // Ramon Tomey

• Regeneron bought bankrupt 23andMe for $256M, acquiring its massive genetic database after a breach exposed 6.9M users' DNA and health data.
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• 23andMe's value crashed from $6B due to declining demand and a cyberattack that stole ancestry, health and family tree data – initially underreported.
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• Privacy concerns persist as Regeneron integrates 23andMe's 12M-user database; anonymized genetic data is often shared without full consent.
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• 23andMe pivoted from consumer trust to drug development profits, prompting warnings from regulators to delete data over financial instability risks.
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• Genetic data is permanent, making breaches irreversible and corporate control ethically risky compared to other sensitive information.

In a move that underscores the high stakes of genetic data ownership, pharmaceutical powerhouse Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has purchased bankrupt DNA testing giant 23andMe in a court-supervised auction.

The $256 million deal announced Monday, May 19, hands one of the world's largest troves of consumer genetic information to a biotech firm with deep ties to medical research. It followed months of financial turmoil for 23andMe – including a devastating data breach exposing 6.9 million users' sensitive information and warnings from California Attorney General Rob Bonta urging customers to delete their data.

Once a pioneer in consumer genetics, 23andMe saw its market value plummet from nearly $6 billion in 2021 to bankruptcy in 2024, The San Francisco-based company was crippled by waning demand for at-home DNA test.

It also suffered from the fallout from a massive cyberattack. Hackers exploited weak security measures to steal ancestry reports, health data and even family tree details. While initially downplaying the breach, 23andMe was eventually forced to admit that nearly all its customers were affected.

The hacking incident amplified long-standing fears about corporate stewardship of genetic data. Now, as Regeneron takes control, privacy advocates and consumers are questioning what happens next to the genetic blueprints of millions.

The New York-based Regeneron insisted in a press release that it will uphold strict privacy standards. "We assure 23andMe customers that we are committed to protecting the dataset with our high standards of data privacy, security and ethical oversight," said Dr. Aris Baras, head of Regeneron's genetics center. The biotechnology firm made headlines over its gene-based drug discovery and a monoclonal antibody treatment for the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), which President Donald Trump received in 2020.

How 23andMe's bankruptcy hands your genetic data to Big Pharma​

Yet the company's plans to integrate 23andMe's database of 12 million users into its research programs have raised eyebrows. Regeneron already collaborates with global institutions to link deidentified DNA with health records. This practice, critics argue, blurs the line between voluntary testing and commodified medical research.

The deal also highlights a broader ethical dilemma: The lack of transparency in how genetic data is repurposed. In March, Bonta had warned 23andMe users to delete their profiles before the bankruptcy, citing "financial distress" as a risk to data security. While Regeneron pledges compliance with privacy laws, the fine print of consent forms – often glossed over by consumers – has historically allowed companies to share anonymized data with third parties, including pharmaceutical firms.

For 23andMe, the sale marks an abrupt fall from grace. Co-founder Anne Wojcicki, who stepped down as CEO ahead of the bankruptcy, once championed "consumer empowerment" in genetics. (Related: Anne Wojcicki accused of running "biological Ponzi scheme" with 23andMe.)

But the company's shift toward monetizing user data for drug development, coupled with its failure to safeguard that data, eroded trust. "There is no doubt the challenges have been real," Wojcicki conceded in a March statement, though she defended the company's mission.

As Regeneron prepares to absorb 23andMe's assets by late 2025, the transaction serves as a cautionary tale. Genetic data, unlike a stolen credit card number, is immutable – a fact that makes breaches irreversible and corporate custody fraught with risk.

In an era where DNA can be weaponized for discrimination, surveillance or profit, the 23andMe saga forces a reckoning. Who gets to decide the future of genetic code? For 6.9 million people, the answer now lies in the hands of a pharmaceutical giant.

Watch Jefferey Jaxen and Del Bigtree discussing 23andMe's data liquidation following its bankruptcy in this clip.