23andMe files for bankruptcy: How to delete your data

Tech Crunch - Mar 25th, 2025

DNA testing giant 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy protection, alarming its vast customer base of 15 million individuals about the security of their sensitive genetic data. The company has reassured that data privacy will be a crucial factor in any future transactions. However, experts and lawmakers warn that new ownership could alter data management policies, prompting users to proactively safeguard their information. Customers are advised to delete their data via 23andMe's website, although the process may be slow due to increased traffic.

The bankruptcy filing of 23andMe underscores significant implications for genetic data privacy, highlighting vulnerabilities in data management practices when companies face financial distress. This development has raised broader concerns about the handling and potential misuse of personal genetic information, emphasizing the need for robust legal protections. Customers are encouraged to not only protect their own data but also to ensure that family and friends do the same, as genetic data can have far-reaching impacts beyond individual users.

Bankruptcy Dna Testing Data Privacy 23and Me Genetic Data

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RATING

6.0

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides timely and relevant information on the potential risks to customer data following 23andMe's bankruptcy filing. It offers practical steps for individuals to protect their data, which enhances its public interest value. However, the article suffers from a lack of source attribution and transparency, which affects its credibility. The focus on potential risks without balanced perspectives or expert opinions may limit its impact and engagement, though it remains accessible and readable for a general audience. Overall, the article effectively raises awareness about important data privacy issues but could benefit from more comprehensive sourcing and balanced reporting to enhance its reliability and impact.

Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims that are generally accurate but contain some discrepancies. For instance, the story states that 23andMe filed for bankruptcy on March 16, while the actual filing occurred on March 23, 2025. This inaccuracy affects the precision of the reporting. The claim about security experts and lawmakers cautioning customers is plausible, though not explicitly supported by official statements. Additionally, the article accurately reflects 23andMe's policy on data retention, which aligns with the company's privacy policy. However, the potential impact on family members is more speculative and lacks direct evidence from official sources.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the potential risks to customer data following 23andMe's bankruptcy filing, presenting a viewpoint that emphasizes caution and protective measures. While it does mention the company's assurance about data privacy, the piece could be seen as skewed towards highlighting concerns rather than providing a balanced view that includes potential positive outcomes or reassurances from 23andMe. The lack of perspectives from the company or industry experts on the implications of the bankruptcy filing could lead to a perception of bias towards a more alarmist viewpoint.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, making it easy for readers to follow the information presented. The step-by-step guide on how to delete 23andMe data is particularly clear and helpful. The language used is straightforward and neutral, contributing to the article's readability. However, some areas, such as the implications of data retention policies, could benefit from further clarification to enhance reader understanding.

Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite sources, which makes it difficult to assess the credibility and reliability of the information provided. The absence of direct quotes or references from 23andMe, security experts, or lawmakers weakens the authority of the claims made. The reliance on general statements without attribution to specific individuals or reports diminishes the overall source quality. The article would benefit from including expert opinions or official statements to enhance its credibility.

Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of disclosing the sources of its information and the methodology behind the claims made. There is no clear explanation of how the conclusions were reached, and the absence of cited sources or expert opinions leaves readers without a clear understanding of the basis for the claims. Additionally, potential conflicts of interest or biases in reporting are not addressed, which could impact the perceived impartiality of the article.