A company that has helped a lot of people learn more about their family tree is filing for bankruptcy.It has been a turbulent time for the genetic testing company 23andMe as it has struggled to generate recurring revenue.It also arguably failed to bounce back from a cyberattack that saw its customers’ personal information and genetic data compromised.The company collected data from more than 15 million people with their saliva-based test kits, which help customers learn more about their ancestry. That means the virtually unprecedented genetic database could be sold in bankruptcy proceedings.Now one state attorney general is warning those customers to purge their data sooner rather than later.In a recent news release, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said it is important to make use of “robust privacy laws” allowing customers to “take control and request that a company delete their genetic data.”Bonta said, “Given 23andMe’s reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company.”Ten states have privacy laws to protect genetic information, but Pennsylvania is not among them.Purge your dataYou can take these steps to ensure that not just your personal information, but your genetic information, isn’t passed to the highest bidder without your consent.Log into your account. Click on “Settings” under your profile.Find the section titled “23andMe Data.” It should be at the very bottom of the page. Click “View.”Scroll to the bottom of the next page for the “Delete Data” section. That big red button you see there will do the trick. 23andMe will then send a follow-up email to the address on file to confirm the decision.If you previously consented to 23andMe to use your data for research, you can withdraw consent under “Research and Product Consents.”

A company that has helped a lot of people learn more about their family tree is filing for bankruptcy.

It has been a turbulent time for the genetic testing company 23andMe as it has struggled to generate recurring revenue.

It also arguably failed to bounce back from a cyberattack that saw its customers’ personal information and genetic data compromised.

The company collected data from more than 15 million people with their saliva-based test kits, which help customers learn more about their ancestry. That means the virtually unprecedented genetic database could be sold in bankruptcy proceedings.

Now one state attorney general is warning those customers to purge their data sooner rather than later.

In a recent news release, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said it is important to make use of “robust privacy laws” allowing customers to “take control and request that a company delete their genetic data.”

Bonta said, “Given 23andMe’s reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company.”

Ten states have privacy laws to protect genetic information, but Pennsylvania is not among them.

Purge your data

You can take these steps to ensure that not just your personal information, but your genetic information, isn’t passed to the highest bidder without your consent.

Log into your account. Click on “Settings” under your profile.

Find the section titled “23andMe Data.” It should be at the very bottom of the page. Click “View.”

Scroll to the bottom of the next page for the “Delete Data” section. That big red button you see there will do the trick. 23andMe will then send a follow-up email to the address on file to confirm the decision.

If you previously consented to 23andMe to use your data for research, you can withdraw consent under “Research and Product Consents.”