23andme Bankrupt

The genetic data at 23andme can be downloaded. That’s what I’ll do before deleting my account.
 
Fermion said:
You guys really think they actually delete all the data and it isn't sitting as a server backup on some shelf?
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You think they have people and equipment capable of restoring a backup? Having seen how difficult it is for companies that are not bankrupt to maintain and execute a disaster recovery plan, I have my doubts.
 
Are you foreseeing some kind of identity theft? Your DNA is unique but is 1 of 8+ billion humans.
 
There was already a data breach and it is one of the reasons that 23andme is bankrupt.
 
I'm wondering what all the fuss is about. I'm pretty sure if I put my genomic testing record out on the Internet, nobody, like zero entities, would download it. Who cares enough to download it? Maybe they could comb through 23andMe data and find higher risk for a specific cancer or something, and use that fact to sell you a screening test or something. Maybe a potential employer could illegally use the data to deny you a job? I'm struggling to find a bad outcome for me, though.
 
For many people, your 23andMe data is going to contain some medical information. If you care about that, and keeping it private, then it is prudent to delete it.

Hackers wanted to get the info before, so I'm sure it's got value to some bad actors.
 
Aerides said:
For many people, your 23andMe data is going to contain some medical information. If you care about that, and keeping it private, then it is prudent to delete it.

Hackers wanted to get the info before, so I'm sure it's got value to some bad actors.
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I agree with this and that's why I've deleted my info. Probably nothing would come of it but better safe than sorry. I say elsewhere that there would be bidding on the company assets, presumably the database being a major part of it. It might be interesting to see who bids on it and how high the bids go. By then it may not be possible to delete the info anymore.

Yes, I am concerned about backups, and whether they actually delete my info but it seemed worthwhile to go through the process to delete.

23andme must be getting slammed. It was pretty slow to get through the steps to delete it, but it did go through. Hopefully.
 
Just saw this thread. This is what I get when I try to log in:

Well, this is embarrassing.​

Please excuse our site error.​

It looks like a site error has occurred. Please try visiting this page again later. We track these errors automatically, but if the problem persists, please contact us.

Hopefully it's not down permanently and this is just a traffic problem
 
Probably a few million people wanting to delete their info.
 
RetiredHappy said:
There was already a data breach and it is one of the reasons that 23andme is bankrupt.
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FWIW, it was "credential stuffing," by which the threat actor gains access to people's accounts by using a user name and password combination the person has used on another website. So 23andMe blamed its customers.

This is from the website for a journal about HIPAA compliance (I didn't go to the original link to a sports website):

Data obtained from those accounts included uninterrupted raw genotype data, health predisposition reports, and carrier-status reports. The threat actor also exploited a 23andMe feature – DNA Relatives – which allows people to connect with their DNA relatives. Through that feature, the threat actor accessed the profile information of around 5.5 million 23andMe users as well as the Family Tree information of a further 1.4 million individuals. The threat actor then listed datasets for sale, including customers with Jewish and Chinese heritage.
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hipaajournal.com/23andme-class-action-data-breach-settlement/

So saying one's genetic data "will no longer be protected" might be missing the mark.

cathy63 said:
You think they have people and equipment capable of restoring a backup? Having seen how difficult it is for companies that are not bankrupt to maintain and execute a disaster recovery plan, I have my doubts.
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The CEO posted, "I have resigned as CEO of the company so I can be in the best position to pursue the company as an independent bidder." Sounds to me like the data is still accessible. By 23andMe and who knows who else. :)
 
Anyone who can't imagine that their genetic info would have value to others is likely wrong. Just because WE can't imagine how it would be useful doesn't mean that others can't exploit it for gain. My gut tells me that 23andMe WILL be a target - a juicy target. I never had interest in their (or similar) services. YMMV
 
razztazz said:
Just saw this thread. This is what I get when I try to log in:

Well, this is embarrassing.​

Please excuse our site error.​

It looks like a site error has occurred. Please try visiting this page again later. We track these errors automatically, but if the problem persists, please contact us.

Hopefully it's not down permanently and this is just a traffic problem
Click to expand...
Got the same message. I hold out little hope....
 
I am shocked, SHOCKED, I tell you! :eek:

SnowballCamper said:
This came out a while ago for Soldiers: OSD advises service members against using DTC genetic testing.

The information operation that a resourceful adversary could do with knowledge of all your relatives and their (and your) known health vulnerabilities could be very disruptive if it happened to a significant number of citizens in a country.
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Fermion said:
You guys really think they actually delete all the data and it isn't sitting as a server backup on some shelf?
Click to expand...
And of course a data breach has already occurred.
In 2023, hackers exposed the personal data of nearly 7 million 23andMe customers over a five-month period, dealing a major blow to the company's reputation and compounding its growth problems. The breach raised alarm among customers concerned about their privacy and how DNA-testing firms handle their data.
Click to expand...
 
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euro said:
Got the same message. I hold out little hope....
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Update you might like. Just keep trying. If you get that page again try just reloading the page. It worked fro me. I was logged in but it wasn't showing I was.

The bad news: Downloading was a pain. Taking forever for some things and others would just flip me directly to the "print" mode instead of download. I downloaded some stuff. I already have some other reports on things I saved over the years. Then I just deleted all and closed the account. It's not like I ever really needed this info or looked at it much over the years anyway.

I did everything I could with this situation. All I can do is all I can do.
 
I'll give you a little scenario. Lets say underwriting comes back to medical policies. "Oh, from a review of your DNA, it shows you have markers for BRCA1" (for those not in the know, this is a gene that has an increased risk of a type of breast cancer). "We are sorry, but we cannot issue you a policy at this time, but on the plus side, at least you know that 0.8% of your heritage is Scottish, so there is that!"
 
My understanding is a lot of the heritage mapping they provided wasn’t completely accurate and many got different answers when using multiple testing services. So there’s that. As far as my DNA I’ll treat it like my financial data. I assume it’s all out there already and will need to take appropriate measures.
 
I'd bet the company or its data will be sold.

I am not worried about my data. There is far more data "sharing" going on already not to mention that our SS numbers are already exposed.
 
Fermion said:
I'll give you a little scenario. Lets say underwriting comes back to medical policies. "Oh, from a review of your DNA, it shows you have markers for BRCA1" (for those not in the know, this is a gene that has an increased risk of a type of breast cancer). "We are sorry, but we cannot issue you a policy at this time, but on the plus side, at least you know that 0.8% of your heritage is Scottish, so there is that!"
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I suppose that insurance companies COULD use DNA in their underwriting process if the laws were changed to allow it, but I'm under the impression that a person's lifestyle actions and actual medical history would be MUCH more predictive of future expenditures than any gene or set of genes could be.
 
sengsational said:
I'm wondering what all the fuss is about. I'm pretty sure if I put my genomic testing record out on the Internet, nobody, like zero entities, would download it. Who cares enough to download it? Maybe they could comb through 23andMe data and find higher risk for a specific cancer or something, and use that fact to sell you a screening test or something. Maybe a potential employer could illegally use the data to deny you a job? I'm struggling to find a bad outcome for me, though.
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It's useful for familial searches.

Law enforcement can now show that the DNA they found at a crime scene belongs to the distant cousin of someone who put his data online. Then they build out a family tree and use other info to identify the likely suspects.

Adoptees looking for their birth families can do something similar.

Hopefully neither of these uses would result in a personally bad outcome for you, but they might be reasons why others wouldn't want their genome in the public domain.
 
Thanks Cathy. We already found a cousin that we didn't know existed. She contacted me on 23andMe and I said "I know all my cousins, we all grew up together." But it turns out one of my aunts gave this cousin up for adoption and never told anyone. She was the wild aunt who suddenly moved from Minnesota to California. Now we know why. But we all invited the new cousin to the family reunion. The aunt had passed already, making it less awkward for us.

And yes, I've heard of a case where law enforcement found similar DNA, and worked their way back to the perp through available DNA records. It's impossible for me to know for sure, but if the cops had DNA evidence, I'm not so sure I'd be upset that they caught a DNA relative of mine. That is, presuming the judicial system wasn't railroading the suspect just to get a conviction at any cost.

I figure my family and I are pretty boring, so of little interest to the world.
 
I put in a request to get my raw data over the weekend, after reading the warning from California’s AG. I was hoping to get my raw data before deleting my account, but after reading they went into bankruptcy last night, I went ahead and deleted my account.

It would have been nice to have the raw data, but who knows if I’d ever look at. I haven’t in the 10+ years ago I was tested.
 
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