servane mouazanMar 23, 2025
Ernie Smith

The state of California is warning 23andMe customers to delete their data because odds are good that the company is going to go bankrupt.

If I were you I would prioritize doing this.

https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-bonta-urgently-issues-consumer-alert-23andme-customers

Attorney General Bonta Urgently Issues Consumer Alert for 23andMe Customers

Californians have the right to direct the company to delete their genetic data OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert to customers of 23andMe, a genetic testing and information company. The California-based company has publicly reported that it is in financial distress and stated in securities filings that there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.

State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
Mar 23, 2025 at 12:38amWeb
Show threadErnie SmithMar 23, 2025
You do not want your genetic data to end up in a bankruptcy court, where it ends up in the hands of the highest bidder. If you ever used 23andMe, do this now.
Show threadQuenbyMar 23, 2025
@ernie
Thank you for sharing this information. /Sincere
Show threadMcCrankyfaceMar 23, 2025
@ernie Make sure to follow the instructions in the "To Destroy Your 23andMe Test Sample" and "To Revoke Permission for Your Genetic Data to be Used for Research" sections *before* deleting your account or you won't be able to log in to do so.
Show threadNoBorgMar 23, 2025
@McCrankyface @ernie
I wonder though: In the case your data ends up in the database of a third party, how can you prove that you clicked on those options? A don't think a screen capture would have any legal value :/
Show threadLauhaz NasjąMar 23, 2025
@McCrankyface @ernie Do folks requesting sample destruction need to wait for that request to be processed before proceeding with data/account deletion, since the latter seem to be one step?
Show threadJohn BreenMar 23, 2025
@ernie My problem is that my mom used it, so I'm pretty much half in there even without ever using it myself.
Show threadErnie SmithMar 23, 2025
@jab01701mid You might want to tell her that now’s the time to remove it.
Show threadsnowyfoxMar 23, 2025
.
Show thread𝙲:\𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚣𝚎𝚗> █Mar 23, 2025
@ernie Clearview rubbing their hands as we speak
Show threadOriol PieraMar 23, 2025
@ernie if you ever used this service, you probably never had been worried about your genetic data.
Show threadbeka valentineMar 23, 2025
@ernie @anildash oh don't worry, they'll retain it because of fine print and sell it on to the next company who wants it 🙃
Show threadThe DoctorMar 23, 2025
@beka_valentine @ernie @anildash If they haven't already.
Show threadGeordie  Mar 23, 2025
@ernie Crikey, better re-sequence my DNA pronto! 
Show threadJack, Digital ExpatMar 23, 2025

@ernie Never used them but I did MY OWN RESEARCH so I don't need to. I am descended from Peeps and the gooey center from chocolate Easter eggs. And an aunt from Guatemala. She was born in Queens which explains my slightly New Yawk accent.

No, I don't. I have a unique speech impediment for the hearing impaired which makes me sound like a British Keanu Reeves sucking on an inhaler.

@msbellows will back me up. He knows me from way back, when we were young rascals on bikes with banana seats.

/If 23andMe still has my data, they are welcome to it. Exploit me. My genes are a gross stew with carrot chunks. I am genuinely astonished my skin tone is what it is. It aint right.

//I burn like an Irishperson with weak melatonin and Icelanders are afraid for me when they meet me. Conan Obrian offered me his concealer. It's WhiteOut(tm).

///I lied. I am a lying liar who lies. Or...am I?

Show threadM.S. Bellows, Jr.Mar 23, 2025
@digitalexpat @ernie I'm afraid you have one thing wrong. Our Guatemalan "aunt" WAS a Queen, not FROM Queens.
Show threadJack, Digital ExpatMar 23, 2025
@msbellows @ernie Dang it. I always mix it up!
Show thread🐜Mar 23, 2025
@ernie but they have back ups
Show threadPamela Barroway – Biz EditorMar 23, 2025
@ernie What a clusterfck. I avoided 23andMe and similar services because I’m jaded and suspicious … which in this case seems prescient.
Show threadDoNotPunchDownMar 23, 2025

@ernie

Thank you! Just sent that to my niece in California

Show threadmatt wilkieMar 23, 2025
@ernie if they're almost insolvent already, how much of their remaining meagre resources will be available to carry out the deletions?
Show threadewhacMar 23, 2025
@ernie
Show threadPetri SalmelaMar 23, 2025
@ernie Does that mean, that the more people ask to delete their data the faster they go bankrupt, because they lose their value? So be fast to delete the data before that.
Show threadNow at @[email protected]Mar 23, 2025

@pesasa @ernie It means if you've ever used this app, data about your DNA is about to be auctioned off in a bankruptcy court.

Who knows who's going to buy it, which country they're from, or what the privacy laws are like in the country where that company's based.

If you want to delete it, do it while you still have the chance.

Show threadAral BalkanMar 23, 2025

@ernie What do you call a warning that comes seven years too late?

#capitalism #surveillance #SiliconValley #BigTech #peopleFarming #humanRights

https://mastodon.ar.al/@aral/100451603895667862

Aral Balkan (@[email protected])

23andMe Sold Access to Your DNA Library to Big Pharma https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/xwkaz3/23andme-sold-access-to-your-dna-library-to-big-pharma-but-you-can-opt-out If only some of us had seen this coming and warned people… oh, wait… #SurveillanceCapitalism HT @hjdraper8

Aral’s fediverse server
Show threadFink Mar 23, 2025

@ernie @soatok Stupid younger me put his data there, wouldn't dream of doing this nowerdays...

Also it's a shit Service:
> you submitted a request to download your raw genotyping data. We are preparing your data for download. This process typically takes a few days

Someone has to go to the tapes and find out which ones is mine? (1/2)

Show threadFink Mar 23, 2025
Also perfect when your attention span is short, I already tried to do this some years back :| (2/2)
Show threadAcesabeMar 23, 2025
@ernie
Didn't see that coming...
@aral
Show threadJAK & WilliMar 23, 2025
@ernie thanks for sharing
Show threadChucklesMar 23, 2025

@ernie Imagine a government that would step in to prevent a bad thing from happening, instead of simply standing back and saying "look out below!"

This is what the world looks like without regulation and supervision, when a libertarian wet dream becomes reality.

Show threadJWcph, Radicalized By DecencyMar 23, 2025

@ernie - and also cross my fingers *really* hard that doing so actually works. Remember, even deleting a file on your own harddrive doesn't actually delete it; it just removes it from the index. Most platforms offer some sort of "undo deletion" function, which they can do because your stuff remains on the server, even when you think you've deleted it.

If this data is considered valuable there's a very real possibility somebody will keep it. As we also know, illegality is no deterrence.

Show threadrednikkiMar 23, 2025
@ernie My mom, who died, had 23andMe. I no longer have access to her email and 23andMe won’t let me log in without resetting her password via an email message.
Show threadGordon MeyerMar 23, 2025
It’s cute that you think it will make a difference. That data is the only asset they have. It’s getting sold off no matter what.
Show threadIcarosityMar 23, 2025
@ernie Did it this morning
Show threadKevin Karhan Mar 24, 2025
@ernie and said data would be auctione off as assets.
Show thread賢進ジェンナMar 24, 2025
@ernie As an additional reminder, don't(or avoid) give your genetic data to any for-profit institution that isn't actively providing you with medical care.
Show threaditomatoMar 24, 2025
@ernie and if they're already dead?
Show threadNumber6 Mar 24, 2025

@ernie

Yeah, but in another 10 years the State of CA will be asking everyone to supply a DNA sample when they get a driver's license.