The possibility that your genetic data could one day be sold to the highest bidder fathom like something out of a sci - fi novel , but fable has just taken one step closer to realness . transmitted testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy protections and is look for a purchaser , which has masses asking – what ’s going to happen to everyone ’s personal datum ?

23andMe was founded in 2006 , and since then , millions of people have spit in a tube-shaped structure and sent it off to the troupe to find out what their DNA can evidently say about theirancestryand / or health .

However , the companyannouncedon March 23 that not only was chief operating officer and co - beginner Anne Wojcicki step down , but that it was also file for bankruptcy protections , meaning it would be manage by a court while search a desirable buyer for the business .

This was n’t unexpected – 23andMe has been in fiscal trouble for agood while . With question over the company ’s future predominate and what that means for the data they ’ve stacked up – not just personal information like birth dates and zip fastener codes , but mass ’s genetic information – some officials had been boost customer to be proactive .

Two day before the company ’s failure annunciation , Rob Bonta , Attorney General for California – where 23andMe is based – issued aconsumer alertlast Friday ( March 21 ) counsel United States Department of State residents to think erase their accounts and genetic data point .

“ California has robust privacy law that allow for consumer to take ascendency and call for that a fellowship delete their genetic data point , ” said Bonta . “ Given 23andMe ’s report financial distress , I remind Californians to look at invoking their right and directing 23andMe to erase their data and destroy any sampling of transmissible material hold by the society . ”

In its failure annunciation , 23andMe stated that there were currently “ no changes to the way the Company stores , manages , or protect customer data . ”

Mark Jensen , electric chair of the troupe ’s dining table of film director , lend : “ [ W]e are committed to continuing to safeguard client datum and being transparent about the direction of user data hold up forward , and data point privateness will be an important consideration in any possible transaction . ”

But that program line wo n’t have been assure to everyone – this is n’t the first time that 23andMe has faced issues over its manipulation of data . Back in2023 , hackers stole personal information – although not desoxyribonucleic acid phonograph recording – from around 6.9 million users .

Understandably , people are interested about what might pass off to their information now . While this is somewhat uncharted dominion , the possible sale of people ’s hereditary datum has long been one of the crying ethical issues in the field of direct - to - consumer genetic examination – which means that experts have also been explore the reply to what might happen in such a situation .

According to the author of a recentperspectiveon the matter ( published before 23andMe went belly-up ) , there are n’t many protections in billet for consumers to stop their datum from being sell on the basis of privacy – 23andMe is n’t beholden to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ( HIPAA ) , for example , because its customers are n’t classed as “ patients ” .

It does n’t stop there either .

“ 23andMe ’s privateness argument reserves the party ’s right to change customer ’ personal information in the case of a sale of the company or bankruptcy . client ca n’t amply protect their datum from being ' accessed , trade or transferred as part of that dealing ' , ” the authors explicate .

“ The company ’s privacy statement would apply to personal information that is transferred to a new entity after the dealing , but that entity could create raw term of service , include a new secrecy argument , and ask customers ( who often do n’t say these long and hard - to - read terms ) to agree to them . ”

“ If 23andMe goes belly-up , these data will most belike be sold to the high bidder , ” the author conclude .

Of naturally , people could still do what Bonta has suggest and delete their accounts – but that does n’t mean their information will have disappeared entirely .

“ information that have already been used in research can no longer be abjure , ” excuse the authors . “ 23andMe also intends to hold back certain entropy , include information on sex , birth dates , and transmitted information , for sound deference role . ”

What will actually happen next is unreadable for now , but the prognosis that some data may ineluctably make it through the crack begs another important question – whoever ends up with 23andMe ’s treasure trove of info , what might they be able to do with it ?

But do n’t worry , we’ve got that one covered too .