15 million DNA samples in limbo as 23andMe faces potential buyout

23andMe, the personal genomics and biotechnology company based in South San Francisco, California might be up for grabs soon, and folks are worried about what will happen to all the DNA info that the company has collected.

Things aren't looking great for 23andMe - their stock's tanking and they've had to axe their drug research team. In September 2024, all board members except for Anne Wojcicki, the co-founder and the company’s CEO resigned. Wojcicki has stated she's considering selling the company, which could put the genetic information of 15 million customers on the market.

23andMe's genetic database is likely its most valuable asset. Sure, 23andMe says they'll play nice with your data if they get bought out, but who knows what will really happen?

But here's the kicker - they can change their mind about those promises whenever they feel like it.

There are a lot of ways that this data might be misused or used in a way that the consumers couldn't anticipate when they first bought 23andMe. 

Your DNA could be a goldmine for nosy insurance companies, cops, and big pharma, according to some experts. The law's supposed to stop genetic discrimination, but it's not a perfect system.

This isn't 23andMe's first rodeo with privacy screw-ups - they just had to cough up $30 million for a data leak last year.

23andMe customers can currently download their data and delete their accounts. Some states, like California, provide additional genetic privacy rights that may allow for data deletion before a sale.

23andMe is facing a deadline from NASDAQ and stands the risk of being delisted. As the Nov. 4 deadline for avoiding delisting approaches, the company's future remains uncertain. Whether sold to Wojcicki or another buyer, the fate of millions of genetic profiles hangs in the balance, highlighting ongoing concerns about privacy in the era of consumer DNA testing.