Kentuckians have the right to delete ’23andMe’ data after bankruptcy declaration: Here’s how

FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) — Attorney General Russell Coleman urged Kentuckians to delete personal information on their accounts on a popular genealogical history website after its bankruptcy announcement.

In a news release on Wednesday, Coleman urged state residents to delete their 23andMe accounts to protect their genetic information from possibly being sold or leaked online.

He reminded the public of the Kentucky Genetic Information Privacy Act, which gives users the right to delete their accounts and genetic data, as well as the right to ask for the destruction of any samples of genetic material the company has.

“We have laws in place that protect Kentuckians’ rights and their personal information,” said Coleman. “Every Kentuckian who did business with 23andMe should consider taking the proper steps to safeguard their sensitive information.”

State officials said those who wish to delete their account can do so by taking the following steps:

• 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.
• Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
• 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.

The attorney general’s office said in a news release that if you previously chose to have your saliva sample and other SNA stored by 23andMe and want to opt out of that preference, you can do so under the “Preferences” tab on your account settings page.

Kentuckians who used 23andMe can also withdraw consent to third-party teachers using your genetic data from the account settings page under “Research and Product Consents,” per a news release.