23andMe, the San Francisco tech company known for its direct-to-consumer genetic testing, announced Sunday it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

That’s raised a lot of privacy concerns over the genetic records it holds of roughly 15 million customers. The company said that while in bankruptcy court, that data will be handled with the same level of privacy. 

But California Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement that suggested Californians should consider “directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material.”

Guest:

Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler

Related Links:

Delete your DNA data from genetics company 23andMe right now - The Washington Post

How to delete your 23andMe data after the company filed for bankruptcy

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

23andMe, the San Francisco tech company known for its direct-to-consumer genetic testing, announced Sunday it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.&nbsp;
That&rsquo;s raised a lot of privacy concerns over the genetic records it holds of roughly 15 million customers. The company said that while in bankruptcy court, that data will be handled with the same level of privacy.&nbsp;
But California Attorney General Rob Bonta released a statement that suggested Californians should consider &ldquo;directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material.&rdquo;
Guest:
Washington Post tech columnist Geoffrey Fowler
Related Links:
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/03/24/23andme-dna-privacy-delete/">Delete your DNA data from genetics company 23andMe right now - The Washington Post</a>
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/03/25/nx-s1-5339695/how-delete-23andme-data-bankruptcy">How to delete your 23andMe data after the company filed for bankruptcy</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-stringify-link="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes" data-sk="tooltip_parent">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

23andMe, the San Francisco tech company known for its direct-to-consumer genetic testing, announced Sunday it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. 

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