As 23andMe declares bankruptcy, privacy advocates sound alarm about DNA data

23andMe filed for bankruptcy and plans a restructuring and sale, raising concerns that its extensive genetic database could be sold or misused despite public privacy commitments; CEO Anne Wojcicki stepped down to pursue an independent bid amid a court-driven auction timeline. Experts warn the sale may attract cybercriminal and nation-state attention and could pressure data-use restrictions, while prior breaches at 23andMe and other DNA-testing firms, FTC guidance on biometric risks, and a California consumer alert highlight the long-term exposure risks and users’ data deletion and consent-revocation rights.