California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued an urgent consumer alert on Friday, advising 23andMe customers to remove their genetic information from the company's databases amid growing concerns over the firm's financial stability.
The once-thriving genetic testing company, which served over 15 million customers and reached a $6 billion valuation in 2020, now faces potential bankruptcy as its stock price has plummeted from $320 in February 2021 to under $2 per share.
The attorney general's warning comes in the wake of a 2023 data breach that raised questions about the security of customers' sensitive genetic information. The company's attempted expansion into drug research and pharmaceutical partnerships, combined with data privacy concerns, has led to its dramatic market decline.
"Given 23andMe's reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company," Bonta stated.
Under California's Genetic Information Privacy Act of 2022, consumers have the right to access or delete their genetic data at any time. The law requires companies to obtain explicit consent for collecting, using, and disclosing genetic information.
For customers wishing to delete their data, Bonta outlined the process:
- Log into your 23andMe account
- Access the "settings" menu
- Navigate to the data section
- Click "view" to access the "delete data" option
- Select "permanently delete data"
- Confirm deletion via the automated email from 23andMe
The company, which charged approximately $200 for its at-home genetic testing services, provided customers with detailed health and ancestry information through laboratory analysis of saliva samples. The uncertain future of this genetic data in the event of bankruptcy has prompted immediate action from California's top law enforcement official.