After DNA genetic testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy, a University of Wisconsin-Madison expert has advised those who used the service to delete their accounts as their information could be at risk, WMTV15 reports.
The company sells at-home DNA testing kits that provide insight into one’s genetic history and health details using saliva and blood tests. Dorthea Salo, among the teaching faculty at UW-Madison’s information school, said that with the company’s bankruptcy filing comes the possibility of acquisition, or of its assets being sold, so any personal data 23andMe has could be sold as well.
According to Salo, genetic data is at risk of misuse and could be used for everything from targeted hate crimes to increased health insurance costs. Meanwhile, 23andMe said in a release that “there are no changes to the way the company stores, manages or protects customer data.” The release also states that the buyer would have to comply with applicable law and respect the treatment of customer data with approvals.
Still, Salo recommended that users delete their profiles — deleting the account, data connected to the account, genetic samples, and all personal information — to prevent the sale of their data.
