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23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

reuters.com

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Re: 23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

#31

Post by jart »

2muchcoffeeman wrote: post #23
Larrikin wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I should have access to the data about me, it shouldn't be for sale ever. It's gross that we have access to this technology but only if we give away all our rights to a company even for a paid service. The murder one is a little more nuanced but ideally it should be a legal matter where it can only be used with a warrant or your explicit single time consent and not buried in a TOS. If you don't want to help the polic…

I can go and get DNA tests for somewhere between 200-1000 AUD right now. So it’s not crazy if you have a medical reason to do so. What 23andMe did was try and build a startup around this with the intention of monetising that data in other ways later. That’s why it was so cheap that people gave them away for Xmas. Had this just been a private data base of people and connections, it would have cost many times more to g…

You hand over your DNA when you sit down, when you stand up, when you breathe.

Re: 23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

#32

Post by wodenokoto »

cwbriscoe wrote: post #22

I have never participated in any of these DNA sites but I have an aunt that pretty much put in our full family tree. Is there anything I can do to remove myself without making an account?

I don't know if filing for bankruptcy has immediate effect of being bankrupt, but if they are still operating normally, you can apparently remove "your data", like this:

https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bont...

However, that's 2 big if's: Are they still operating normally, and do they consider "your data" data you upload or genetic data pertaining to you.

Re: 23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

#33

Post by carimura »

transcriptase wrote: post #11
alexfromapex wrote: post #5

Already downloaded and deleted my data. It’s so wild that some new buyer could just buy peoples’ genetic data at a fire sale.

I do wonder whether the data is actually deleted or they just do like every other large tech company and set a “deleted = true” flag that hides it from the user, since actually deleting it and all of its replicates across data centres, backup images, and tape storage is from what I’ve been told, virtually impossible even if the will was there.

it very likely may not be per their own words. They are "bound by various legal and regulatory obligations that may necessitate retention of certain information". This came straight from their privacy team.

Re: 23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

#34

Post by Unroasted6154 »

transcriptase wrote: post #11
alexfromapex wrote: post #5

Already downloaded and deleted my data. It’s so wild that some new buyer could just buy peoples’ genetic data at a fire sale.

I do wonder whether the data is actually deleted or they just do like every other large tech company and set a “deleted = true” flag that hides it from the user, since actually deleting it and all of its replicates across data centres, backup images, and tape storage is from what I’ve been told, virtually impossible even if the will was there.

It possible with crypto shredding. You store everything encrypted with one key by customer. When you want to delete you erase the key. The data becomes unusable everywhere (backups included). Then a job periodically garbage collects data without a key, but that's more for cost saving.

Big companies do this but it requires some technical maturity. If you operate in Europe you have to implement proper data deletion. I would be more worried about small companies that large ones tombe honest.

Re: 23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

#35

Post by ks2048 »

There are troubling privacy issues, but it was able to tell me: "Toe Length Ratio : Likely second toe longer". I didn't even have to look down!

Maybe it was a bad idea. But, I figured if we enter a dystopian future, evil health care companies or governments could easily get my DNA if they want to and/or simply require that information to get care. When you get blood drawn, do you see what they do with it?

Hopefully, what matters is the laws we all fight for and not whether I sent my spit to an internet company in 2022.

Anyways, will delete my data.

Re: 23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

#37

Post by rendall »

For what it's worth, this is on their Data page:

> What happens to my data if the company is sold or otherwise changes ownership?

> If the company does change ownership in the future, your data will remain protected under the current 23andMe Privacy Policy unless and until you are presented with materially new terms, with appropriate advanced notice to review those material changes as required by law.

https://you.23andme.com/user/edit/records/

Re: 23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

#38

Post by carimura »

theogravity wrote: post #10

Just deleted my data. Who knows who will own it after this?

their own privacy team told me they are bound by regulatory obligations to retain data even after you request deletion. I've notified our attorney general's office to see if anything can be done but it might be too late. I'd love for someone who knows these "regulatory obligations" to chime in.....

Re: 23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

#39

Post by Mistletoe »

LZ_Khan wrote: post #36

How does a company like that go bankrupt? They sell kits for freaking $200. How is that unprofitable?

You buy a kit one time in your life. I'm more amazed that people thought it could be a profitable business once everyone that was going to had purchased their one kit per lifetime. And it wasn't even $200, it was more around $100 or even less if you didn't want ancestry + health. I wonder if I can still get the locked away health part haha?

Re: 23andMe files for bankruptcy to sell itself

#40

Post by abracadaniel »

ks2048 wrote: post #35

There are troubling privacy issues, but it was able to tell me: "Toe Length Ratio : Likely second toe longer". I didn't even have to look down! Maybe it was a bad idea. But, I figured if we enter a dystopian future, evil health care companies or governments could easily get my DNA if they want to and/or simply require that information to get care. When you get blood drawn, do you see what they do with it? Hopefully,…

You can request your data from a section in the site first if you like. Some of the downloads say they can take a few days to generate, but all were available within a day of my requests.
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