The Arizona Attorney General’s Office is warning Arizona residents to protect themselves after the recent bankruptcy filing by 23andMe, a direct-to-consumer genetic testing and information company.
23andme filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 23, 2025.
In a press release, 23andMe stated that despite the bankruptcy, “[t]he Company intends to continue operating its business in the ordinary course throughout the sale process. There are no changes to the way the Company stores, manages, or protects customer data.”
According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the bankruptcy raises the risk that 23andMe may attempt to sell Arizonans’ genetic data and other private information as part of the bankruptcy proceedings.
Due to the sensitive consumer genetic data that 23andMe amassed, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office is reminding Arizona residents of their rights under the Arizona Genetic Information Privacy Act. These include the right to delete the consumer’s account and genetic data and the right to request and obtain the destruction of the consumer’s biological sample.
Consumers can delete their 23andMe account and personal information by taking the following steps:
To Delete Genetic Data from 23andMe:
- Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
- Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
- Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
- Click “View” next to “23andMe Data”
- Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.
- Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
- Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
- Confirm your request: You’ll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.
To Destroy Your 23andMe Test Sample:
If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under “Preferences.”
To Revoke Permission for Your Genetic Data to be Used for Research:
If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers using your genetic data and sample for research, you may withdraw consent from the account settings page, under “Research and Product Consents.”
