Planet Money
How 23andMe's bankruptcy led to a run on the gene bank
Apr 26, 2025
Aunt Vovi's journey with 23andMe leads to unexpected revelations about ancestry, touching on the emotional weight of genetic data. As the company faces bankruptcy, concerns about privacy and the future of customers' data emerge. Discussion shifts to the complexities of consumer rights in data handling during financial crises. There's contemplation on the role of Chief Privacy Officers and the evolving landscape of data regulations. Listeners will resonate with the struggles of reclaiming privacy amidst the murky waters of corporate financial turmoil.
30:58
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Quick takeaways
- Aunt Vovie's experience with 23andMe highlights the risks associated with sharing genetic data, particularly amid the company's bankruptcy and potential data sale.
- The bankruptcy proceedings shed light on consumer data privacy challenges, revealing the complexity of legal safeguards and the uncertain fate of sensitive information.
Deep dives
Aunt Vovie's Genetic Journey
Aunt Vovie undertook a genetic test from 23andMe, motivated by her interest in understanding her ancestry and belonging to the larger narrative of human migration. Despite her cautious nature regarding personal data, she went ahead with the test, expecting to uncover intriguing connections to her family's history. The initial results revealed unexpected ancestry from regions like Mongolia and Great Britain, sparking excitement and curiosity about her heritage. However, a subsequent update drastically changed her profile, reflecting a straightforward 99.8 percent Afghan heritage, which felt like an anticlimactic conclusion to her quest for genetic discovery.
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