Marylanders Should Consider Taking Steps to Protect Highly Sensitive Personal Data Held by 23andMe

​​​​​​​​​​​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BALTIMORE, MD – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown today issued a consumer alert concerning the recent bankruptcy filing of genetic information company 23andMe. 23andMe’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy has raised concerns about how consumers' genetic information will be protected. 

23andMe, which experienced a data breach last year that compromised more than seven million people’s genetic information, has stated that it intends to continue operating throughout the bankruptcy proceedings. The bankruptcy may result in the transfer or sale of the genetic information held by the company. 23andMe has reassured consumers, however, that they “still have the ability to delete their data and 23andMe account.” 

Attorney General Brown reminds Marylanders that genetic information is highly sensitive information and suggests to Marylanders that they consider deleting their accounts to protect their personal information. Consumers who wish to delete their 23andMe account and the sensitive information that it contains can log into their 23andMe account and, using the account settings, permanently delete their 23andMe data. Consumers can read the following steps in more detail.
 

This alert was issued to all consumers who have subscribed to receive consumer information from our office. Consumers can use this brief form to subscribe.

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