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Did you delete your DNA data on 23andMe? You're not alone. The company's website has seen a surge in users after it launched a bankruptcy proceeding intended to attract a buyer.
Visits to 23andMe.com increased by 526% from Sunday to Monday, according to Similarweb, which tracks internet traffic trends after 23andMe announced its bankruptcy. 23andMe.com received an estimated 1.5 million visits on Monday, an increase from 239,000 visits the day before, or what’s closer to a typical daily traffic flow.
"March 24 was the largest traffic spike 23andMe has seen in at least the last two years," a Similarweb spokesperson says. It was enough to briefly take down 23andMe's site on Monday, according to The Wall Street Journal.
(Credit: Similarweb)Similarweb added that 376,000 visits went "to help pages specifically related to deleting data, and 30K to the customer care page for account closure."
As a result, the company attributes the traffic spike to users scrambling to delete their DNA data over concerns the information will fall into the wrong hands. 23andMe has over 15 million users.
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On Tuesday, the traffic to 23andMe also grew, reaching 1.7M visits for a 13.3% increase from the day prior. "Traffic to the delete data help page reached about 480K visits, and there were 34K visits the account closure page —both increases from the day prior," Similarweb said.
As users delete their data, 23andMe is trying to reassure the public that it'll find a responsible buyer. “??To constitute a qualified bid, potential buyers must, among other requirements, agree to comply with 23andMe’s consumer privacy policy and all applicable laws with respect to the treatment of customer data,” the company said on Wednesday after securing the court's permission to begin the sale process.
Nevertheless, at least three US attorneys general have issued consumer alerts, warning users about the privacy risks of the looming sale. Existing customers can still delete their data by going to their account settings. But if they face trouble doing so, New York’s attorney general is encouraging local residents to contact her office and file a complaint.
23andMe didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with more traffic numbers from Similarweb.