Attorney General Ken Paxton has taken legal action in the bankruptcy case of 23andMe by filing a motion to appoint a Consumer Privacy Ombudsman. This move aims to protect the personal and genetic information of Texans during the bankruptcy proceedings.
"The importance of safeguarding Texans’ genetic data and preserving their privacy rights cannot be overstated," stated Paxton. Efforts are being made to uphold state privacy laws that include data deletion rights. Paxton encouraged Texans to exercise their right to have their data securely deleted. "I will continue to stand up for Texans’ privacy rights, which is why I’m fighting to have a Consumer Privacy Ombudsman appointed in this case," he added.
23andMe, known for its direct-to-consumer genetic testing services, recently declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Eastern District of Missouri. Documents filed suggest the company intends to sell assets that could include sensitive genetic data, health information, and other personal information.
Paxton's motion emphasizes the uniqueness of this situation, merging bankruptcy law with consumer data and genetic privacy rights. The proposed Ombudsman would protect the interests of consumers and creditors alike.
Under state laws, Texans are entitled to request the deletion of their data from 23andMe’s database and the destruction of genetic samples or results. These rights can be exercised via the 23andMe website, allowing consumers to delete their data, remove test samples, and revoke research permissions.
Texans encountering issues with their data rights, facing non-responsiveness from the company, or having concerns about their 23andMe data can file complaints on the Office of the Attorney General's website.