Hello, tech lovers! Today, we’re diving into a pressing issue that has emerged in the world of DNA testing. Recently, 23andMe, a popular genetic testing service, has filed for bankruptcy, raising eyebrows over the fate of the data shared by its millions of users.

With 15 million customers’ genetic information in jeopardy, many are wondering how to take control of their data. The company has indicated that data privacy is a key factor in any potential sale, but experts urge action.

While you may not be able to eradicate all of your 23andMe data completely, there are steps you can take to limit what’s retained. First up, if you’re eager to delete your account, log in and head over to the ‘Settings’ section. From there, you’ll find the ‘23andMe Data’ tab. The journey to deletion involves clicking ‘View’ and moving to the ‘Delete Data’ area, where you’ll ultimately select ‘Permanently Delete Data’.

Don’t forget, when you initiate this process, 23andMe will send you a confirmation email. Also, consider downloading a copy of your data for your records before you delete it.

However, there’s an important thing to note—23andMe retains some information like Genetic Information, date of birth, and sex for legal compliance, so complete data disappearance isn’t guaranteed.

If you’ve opted to have your saliva sample kept, it’s time to reassess. You can revoke consent for your DNA to be stored or used for research by tweaking the settings in your account under ‘Preferences’ and ‘Research and Product Consents’.

Finally, don’t keep this to yourself! Talk to your family and friends about data privacy. They deserve to know how their genetic data might be at risk.