23andMe's Bankruptcy: What Does it Mean for Data Privacy?

California Alerting Consumers to Delete Data, Samples Shared With Firm Marianne Kolbasuk McGee (HealthInfoSec) • March 24, 2025

Genetics testing firm 23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and says it is looking to sell the company. But what does that potentially mean for the firm's trove of highly sensitive health and ancestry information pertaining to millions of consumers?

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California-based 23andMe Holding Co. in its bankruptcy filing in a Missouri federal court on Sunday said it has 277.42 million assets and $214.7 million in debts.

In a statement announcing the bankruptcy, 23andMe said it is seeking authorization from the court to commence a process to sell substantially all of its assets.

"If approved by the court, the company, with the assistance of an independent investment banker, would actively solicit qualified ...