23andMe executives appeared before Congress, where they were harshly criticized for the risk of data leaks during the bankruptcy process and the possible sale of the company. The focus is on the future of 15 million genetic profiles of Americans.
On June 11, 2025, at a hearing before the US Congressional Oversight and Government Reform Committee, 23andMe top executives, including former CEO Anne Wojcicki and interim CEO Joe Selsavidge, answered questions about the fate of users’ genetic data.
Since the bankruptcy filing in March 2025, 1.9 million users have already deleted their data, but Congress does not consider this sufficient. Deputies are demanding a clear “opt-in” mechanism – that is, the consent of each customer before transferring their DNA data to a new owner.
Despite repeated requests, the company’s management has refused to promise to implement such a mechanism. Lawmakers are concerned not only about national security (including the threat from China) but also about possible discrimination due to data leaks: from advertising to people with mental disorders to raising insurance rates and loan denials.
23andMe is one of the leaders in the field of consumer genetics, which for years has offered tests for hereditary diseases, ethnicity and other biomarkers. Millions of customers have provided the company with the most sensitive data – DNA, so trust in the operator is critical. In 2019, even the Pentagon urged the military not to use such services.
The situation with 23andMe is an example of how the value of private data turns into a bargaining chip during financial crises. The fact that the company does not guarantee direct consent of customers to transfer DNA data sets a dangerous precedent. The US Congress is already signaling that federal data protection legislation is needed before such cases become the norm. In the meantime, the fate of millions of DNAs is at stake.
