We live in a world where curiosity sells. Want to know your ancestry? Curious if you’re predisposed to certain health conditions? A quick saliva sample and a few clicks, and 23andMe will serve up insights into your genetic blueprint.
But what if the company holding that blueprint hits financial trouble?
With reports swirling about 23andMe’s shaky ground following massive breaches and plummeting public trust, it’s time we ask an uncomfortable but necessary question:
“What happens to your DNA data if 23andMe goes bankrupt?”
Let’s break this down without sugar-coating it.
1. Your DNA is a Business Asset
You may have paid for the test, but you don’t own the infrastructure around your genetic data. 23andMe does.
In a bankruptcy, everything the company owns becomes part of the pot that creditors can lay claim to. That includes:
• Your raw genetic data
• Health and trait reports
• Family tree data
• Any consented research contributions
Now, you might say, “But they promised not to sell my data without permission.”
Sure. But promises can get reinterpreted during bankruptcy proceedings. When a company dissolves, their privacy policies don’t necessarily protect you the way you think they do. The court’s job is to pay off debts — and that often includes selling off valuable assets. Your DNA data qualifies.
2. Buyer Beware: Who Might Want It?
If 23andMe collapses, someone’s going to want that data. That “someone” might be:
• A pharmaceutical company (for research or drug development)
• A data analytics firm
• A private equity group with plans to repackage or monetize it
Even if the data is “anonymized,” let’s be honest: genetic data isn’t really anonymous. It’s unique to you. It’s one of the few things about you that can’t be changed or revoked. Once it’s out there, it’s out there forever.
And while that might not mean much today, think 5, 10, 20 years down the line. How might that data be used? Insurance risk profiling? Discrimination? Government tracking?
Yeah, this rabbit hole runs deep.
3. No HIPAA Protection
Here’s a fact that surprises a lot of people: HIPAA doesn’t apply to 23andMe.
That’s because 23andMe isn’t a healthcare provider or covered entity under U.S. health privacy law. It’s a consumer service.
So the data you handed over is not protected the way your hospital records are. It exists in a legal grey zone, governed more by corporate policies than robust regulation.
If the company folds, those policies get tossed into legal limbo.
4. Security Risks and Breaches
Let’s not forget 23andMe already suffered a serious data breach in 2023. Over 6.9 million accounts were affected, and the company downplayed the incident until pressure forced them to come clean.
If a company is struggling financially, they’re not investing in top-tier security infrastructure. That means your genetic data is more vulnerable than ever during periods of instability.
Bankruptcy is chaos — and in chaos, things slip through the cracks.
5. What Can You Do?
If you’re already a 23andMe customer, you’re not powerless — but you’re also not in full control. Here’s what I’d recommend:
• Delete your account. It’s a start, though not a guarantee.
• Request your raw DNA file be deleted. Be explicit. Don’t just close your account — demand data erasure.
• Request destruction of your physical sample if it’s still stored. You can contact them directly to ask if they’re still holding it.
• Monitor your email and the dark web for signs your data might be circulating. You can use services like HaveIBeenPwned or paid credit monitoring tools.
And if you haven’t used a service like this yet? Think carefully. The benefits are real, but so are the long-term risks. Once you give up your genetic fingerprint, you can’t get it back.
Final Thought: Curiosity vs. Consequences
We live in a culture of curiosity. People want insights, answers, and cool facts about who they are.
But curiosity isn’t free — especially not when it involves your most personal data.
Bankruptcy is a business problem, but it creates a personal privacy crisis for every customer caught in the fallout. And in this case, it’s not just your credit card data or your shopping history. It’s your literal code.
My advice? Be cautious. Stay informed. And remember: just because it’s cheap and convenient doesn’t mean it’s safe.
#StayFrosty!
