Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is advising customers of DNA testing company 23andMe about their rights to remove their genetic data following the company's recent bankruptcy filing. Despite assurances from 23andMe to maintain its current data protection practices, the company's plans to sell nearly all its assets, including customer data and DNA samples, have raised concerns about how new owners will handle this sensitive information.
General Skrmetti is informing customers of their options to download their personal data, delete their accounts, and instruct the company to destroy their biological samples and refrain from using them for research. He emphasized the importance of protecting genetic information, stating, "Our genetic information is some of our most personal data, giving insight about not just us but our families. People trusted 23andMe with their DNA to learn more about who they are, and now the company appears poised to sell that incredibly sensitive data to unknown buyers. Any Tennessee consumer who wants to delete their data and ensure their sample is destroyed should follow the step-by-step instructions provided on our website."
In Tennessee, the Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) mandates that companies secure consumer data and allow them to access, delete, and destroy their biological materials. On 23andMe's website, customers can find instructions to adjust their preferences concerning both data deletion and opting out of research.
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