INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — With gene testing firm 23andMe filing for bankruptcy, Hoosiers should consider deleting their accounts to protect their personal data, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita says. “This is a company that holds very sensitive information pertaining to the individuals wh o use its services,” Rokita said in a release. “This data could be considered an asset to be sold or transferred as part of any potential bankruptcy proceeding. The best way for Hoosiers to protect their information is to delete their accounts now.” The firm announced Sunday it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and was looking for a buyer. The company struggled for years to find a sustainable business model and never made a profit, according to CNN. 23andMe’s core product, at-home DNA testing kits, offers “personalized genetic insights” that the firm says can alert users to the likelihood of developing health issues like Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. The company says its bankruptcy filing does not change how it “stores, manages, or protects people’s genetic information.” But if 23andMe finds a buyer, that information could be part of the sale. In its updated privacy policies, 23andMe says that in the event of a bankruptcy, acquisition, merger, reorganization or sale of assets, “your personal information may be accessed, sold or transferred as part of that transaction.” However, in an open letter to customers, the company says that any buyer “will be required to comply with applicable law with respect to the treatment of customer data.” 23andMe customers still have full access to their accounts, genetic reports, and any stored data. How to delete your account You can delete your account in Account Settings. You can also download your data to a personal device before deleting the account. Once your request is confirmed, the deletion process can’t be canceled, undone, withdrawn, or reversed. If you asked 23andMe to store your genetic samples, they will be discarded. If you took part in 23andMe research, your personal information will not be used in any future projects. However, 23andMe will still “retain limited information” about you, even after you delete your account. In its privacy statement, the firm writes, “23andMe and/or our contracted genotyping laboratory will retain your Genetic Information, date of birth, and sex as required for compliance with applicable legal obligations…even if you chose to delete your account.” Click here for more details on closing your 23andMe account. ...read more read less