Users of DNA testing firm 23andMe have been urged to delete their data after the company filed for bankruptcy protection in the US.
California-based 23andMe – once a favourite of Oprah Winfrey – is thought to have sold more than 250,000 kits in Britain.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged 23andMe users to ‘delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company’ amid fears details could be sold and even end up on the dark web.
Meredith Whittaker, the president of end-to-end encrypted messaging app Signal, also urged customers to close accounts: ‘This won’t solve the issue, but they will – they claim – delete some of your data.’
The genetics firm also said co-founder and chief executive Anne Wojcicki was resigning immediately after it struggled with heavy losses and a major data hack.
Tests: 23andMe, founded by Anne Wojcicki (pictured with ex-husband Sergey Brin) is thought to have sold more than 250,000 kits in Britain
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