23andMe Bankruptcy Sparks Genetic Data Privacy Concerns
A U.S. judge approves the sale of sensitive genetic data from 15 million customers, intensifying calls for stricter regulations and data deletion efforts.
- 23andMe's bankruptcy filing has led to a court-approved sale process for its genetic and medical data, with offers due in May and a final decision expected in June.
- Privacy advocates warn of risks such as genetic discrimination, blackmail, and misuse by foreign adversaries if the data falls into the wrong hands.
- 23andMe customers are being urged to delete their genetic data, though some information may still be retained due to legal obligations.
- The case highlights significant gaps in U.S. privacy laws, as genetic data is treated as a commercial asset and lacks robust protections compared to the EU.
- Policymakers and experts are calling for measures like opt-in consent requirements to safeguard user data during the bankruptcy sale.
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