DNA Testing Service 23andMe presented bankruptcy protection in March and was concerned about what could happen with the genetic data of the 15 million customers of the company.
Pharmaceutical Gigant Regeneron announced in May that it bought the genetic test company for $ 256 million after a bankruptcy auction. Although the company has said that it will retain the privacy practices of 23andme, it also stated that it would use the 23andMe data to help the discovery of new medicines. More recently, TTAM Research Institute (a non-profit organization led by 23andme’s co-founder and former CEO Anne Wojcicki) was announced as the winner in a new bidding round.
When 23andMe applied for bankruptcy, security experts and legislators warned customers to take action to protect their data. This week, 23andme’s Interim -Chief Executive Joseph Sels benefit The legislators told that 1.9 million people, or about 15% of the customer base, asked to remove their genetic data. Sels availing the number during a hearing of the Huis Oversight Committee where the legislators examine the sale of the company.
Also this week, more than two dozen states 23andMe complained to challenge the sale of the private data of its customers. The States claim that the company must obtain explicit permission from its customers before they sell their data.
If you are one of the 15 million people who have shared their DNA with 23andMe, we have set the steps that you can take to protect yourself. Although you cannot delete all your 23andMe data, there are some things that you can control.
How to delete your 23andMe data
To delete your data from 23andMe, you must log in to your account and then follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Institutions Section of your profile.
- Scroll down to the selection with the label 23andMe -Data.
- Click on the Reproduction Option and scroll to the Delete data Section.
- Select the Delete data permanently knob.
You will then receive an e -mail from 23andMe with a link with which you can confirm your deletion request.
You can choose to download a copy of your data before deleting it.
There is an important reservation, since the privacy policy of 23andMe states that the company and its laboratories “will retain your genetic information, date of birth and sex as required for compliance with applicable legal obligations.”
The policy continues: “23andme will also save limited information with regard to your account and data removal request, including but not limited to, your e -mail address, account deletion requester, communication with regard to investigations or complaints and legal agreements and legal agreements for a limited period for a limited period, contractual obligations, or or or for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and for the foundation and competitions. “
This means that 23andme can save part of your information for a non -specific time.
How you can destroy your 23andMe test sample and withdraw permission for your data used for research
If you have previously chosen to have stored your saliva sample and DNA by 23andMe, you can change this setting.
To withdraw your permission, go to your 23andMe account settings page and then navigate to Preferences.
In addition, if you have previously agreed to 23andme and external researchers who use your genetic data and sample for research, you can withdraw permission from the Research and product complicates Section in your account settings.
Although you can reverse that permission, there is no way to remove that information.
Check with your relatives
Once you have requested the deletion of your data, it is important to check in with your family members and encourage them to do the same, because it is not only their DNA that runs the risk of sale – it also affects people with whom they are related.
And while you are busy, it is worth checking in with your friends to ensure that all your loved ones take steps to protect their data.
This story was originally published on March 25 and was updated on 11 June with new information.
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