INFO’s Jessica Vitak warns of privacy risks as 23andMe’s DNA database faces uncertainty after bankruptcy filing
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Genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, citing $2.3 billion in debt, waning demand, and the fallout from a 2023 data breach. The breach, which exposed user data and cost the company $30 million, further damaged consumer trust. As 23andMe seeks a buyer, privacy experts are raising alarms about the future of its massive DNA database—one of the largest in the world. While buyers must initially agree to uphold the company’s privacy policy, those terms could change after a sale.
Jessica Vitak, a professor at the University of Maryland’s College of Information, says the situation highlights urgent ethical and privacy concerns. She warns that 23andMe’s genetic and self-reported health data is not only highly personal but also affects family members. Vitak says this underscores the need for stronger federal protections for consumer data, especially as sensitive genetic information becomes a target for profit.
For more on what 23andMe’s bankruptcy means for genetic privacy, read the full article here.
The original article was written by Lakshmi Varanasi and Lauren Edmonds and published by Business Insider on April 13, 2025.