With 23andMe in ‘financial distress,’ California official issues alert to customers

With genetic testing company 23andMe facing an increasingly uncertain future, California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Friday reminded customers they have the right to tell the firm to permanently delete their data.

The South San Francisco-based company has publicly reported it is in “financial distress” and stated in recent securities filings that there is substantial doubt about its ability to keep going, the California Attorney General’s Office said in a news release.

The “trove of sensitive consumer data” amassed by 23andMe is subject to deletion under both the Genetic Information Privacy Act and the California Consumer Protection Act, according to the office.

“California has robust privacy laws that allow consumers to take control and request that a company delete their genetic data,” Bonta said in a statement. “Given 23andMe’s reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company.”

Customers can delete their 23andMe account and personal information by taking the following steps:

• Log into your 23andMe account on the...