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Om Malik is a San Francisco based writer, photographer and investor. Read More
23andMe is imploding, and you should do whatever you can to protect your genetic data. At the very least, try to delete it. Californians can delete their 23andMe data, according to the California State District Attorney Rob Bonta who today issued a consumer alert. Californians have the right to delete their genetic data under the Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA) and California Consumer Protection Act (CCPA).
To delete your data, do the following:
- Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
- Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
- Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
- Click “View” next to “23andMe Data”
- Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.
- Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
- Confirm your request: You’ll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request..
To destroy your genetic sample, go to the account settings page and navigate to “preferences.”
Revoke permission for using your genetic data in research by withdrawing consent. Go to the “account settings page” and navigate to “Research and Product Consents.”