23andMe files for bankruptcy
good to know info if you were a customer
1. Data Is An Asset: In bankruptcy, a company’s assets - including customer data - can be sold to repay creditors. If another company acquires 23andMe, genetic data could be transferred as part of the deal terms.
2. Legal Protections Exist, But There’s A Caveat: Privacy laws like GDPR and California’s Genetic Information Privacy Act impose restrictions and the FTC has intervened in past cases to prevent the sale of sensitive data. However, bankruptcy courts may still allow data transfers under certain conditions.
3. Ongoing Risks To Customers: Data security may weaken during bankruptcy, increasing the risk of a breach. A new owner may also use genetic data in ways customers never intended - such as for research, insurance coverage decisions or marketing.