Rhianna Benson
Anyone who previously paid to have their genes tested by ancestry firm 23andMe have this week been issued a stern warning by tech bosses.
Owners of the DNA giant shocked users on Sunday (22 Mar) by announcing bankruptcy following 19 years of service.
It was California Attorney General, Rob Bonta, that broke the news - which subsequently saw the biotechnology company's stock tank to just 96 cents a share. The resignation of Anne Wojcicki, the company's CEO and co-founder, was also announced at the time.
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As part of the declaration, Bonta also urged the 15 million Americans that had previously paid to use the service to wipe their profiles, and destroy any samples held by 23andMe.
The warning comes amid fears that their health and genetic information could potentially be sold.
"California has robust privacy laws that allow consumers to take control and request that a company delete their genetic data," Bonta explained at the weekend, as per the State of California Department of Justice.
"Given 23andMe’s reported financial distress, I remind Californians to consider invoking their rights and directing 23andMe to delete their data and destroy any samples of genetic material held by the company."
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The government Department also shared information on the correct way to go about making the deletions and wiping any remaining samples.
Being that the firm was founded in Silicon Valley, its bosses' actions and policies fall under California's Genetic Privacy Act.
This bill allows consumers to both access and delete data at their own will, hence the latest warning following the company's financial announcement.
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Despite his urgent warning, however, 52-year-old Bonta went on to confess that no one can guarantee with certainty where the sensitive user information - which can include family health history, or even paternity/maternity revelations - will end up.
Customers to the service previously paid as much as $200 to have their DNA samples analysed.
In its prime, allegedly circa 2021, the firm's share price sky-rocketed to a staggering $320.
Despite the state of 23andMe's monetary stability, however, the company will reportedly continue to trade - as per the Mail.
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The publication allege that Wojcicki will now orchestrate a takeover bid in an effort to save her company.
According to one of California's most powerful lawyers, however, users should have very limited confidence in a brand resurgence.