Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has issued a warning to 23andMe customers about their privacy rights following the genetic testing company's recent bankruptcy filing. While 23andMe has stated it will maintain its current data practices, the sale of the company's assets, including personal data and DNA samples, is raising concerns. According to a statement on the Attorney General's website, customers have the right to download their data, delete their account, and demand the destruction of their biological sample. "Our genetic information is some of our most personal data, giving insight about not just us but our families,” Skrmetti said.
The impending asset sale throws into uncertainty how future owners will handle the sensitive genetic material of customers. With Tennessee's Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) now in play, companies like 23andMe are required to adequately protect consumer data. In light of these circumstances, Skrmetti is providing Tennesseans with the necessary steps to take control of their genetic information. Instructions on how to navigate these rights are outlined on the Tennessee Attorney General's website.
The Attorney General's office has been quick to remind customers of the potential risks associated with the transfer of their personal and genetic data. This information, which was willingly shared with 23andMe, has now become a commodity to be negotiated over in a bankruptcy court, raising valid privacy concerns. The protections afforded by GIPA are particularly relevant in these situations, offering consumers a safeguard over their genetic profiles.
For customers concerned about their privacy, the state's website offers a detailed process to permanently delete their presence from the company's research databases. Furthermore, opting out of research uses of their data is an additional step clients can take to ensure greater confidentiality. The statement from the Attorney General's office emphasizes this right, declaring, "Any Tennessee consumer who wants to delete their data and ensure their sample is destroyed should follow the step-by-step instructions provided on our website."
Those interested in learning more about their rights or who would like to take action can visit the Tennessee Attorney General's website for further information.
