Attorney Generals Warn Consumers About 23andMe Bankruptcy, Data Privacy Risks

Multiple state attorneys general are issuing consumer alerts following 23andMe's recent bankruptcy filing and an earlier data breach that exposed the personal information of nearly seven million Americans. Attorney General James Uthmeier of Florida emphasizes the importance of consumer privacy, urging residents to delete their accounts and genetic data from 23andMe's system. New York's Attorney General and others echo these concerns, providing instructions for consumers to safeguard their sensitive genetic information amidst the ongoing sale process of the company. The company has stated it will continue operations as usual and will honor consumers' rights to delete their data, despite the bankruptcy. Attorney General William Tong of Connecticut highlighted the need for 23andMe to uphold its commitment to data protection, while also reminding consumers of their rights under state privacy laws. These alerts come as the company struggles with declining demand and reputational damage due to the data breach.