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23andMe Files For Bankruptcy, Data Concerns Emerge
Questions have been raised regarding the future of the genetic data held by 23andMe after the DNA testing company filed for bankruptcy.
The company reportedly collected the genetic data of 15 million people, and it is currently unclear whether the information will be sold to a third-party at a later date.
Because of this uncertainty, BlackCloak recommended that you adjust the privacy settings on your account, particularly surrounding how your data is shared. It's also recommended that you download your data from 23andMe and then make a request to have your genetic information deleted.
How to Adjust Your Privacy Settings and Delete Your Data
23andMe users can follow our guide on how to adjust your privacy settings and delete your data
Ancestry users can use this guide to do the same if the latest news has you concerned about your genetic information
Reach out to BlackCloak and our Concierge team can help you with these actions. You can email us at [email protected] or schedule a Concierge Session via the BlackCloak app Support tab.
Deepfake Celebrity Video Scams On The Rise
BlackCloak is tracking a dramatic rise in deepfake scams, particularly scams featuring celebrity impersonators.
These scams fraudulently depict "celebrities" endorsing products in an attempt to steal money. Images of Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift and Oprah Winfrey are among those whose likeness has been used for these scam videos.
What to Do About This?
While these videos may appear to be legitimate, it's important to take the following steps when coming across an unusual video or advertisement:
Pay close attention to the quality, as audio and visual that are not synced can be a sign that a video is fraudulent
Research the product that is allegedly being sold trusted websites in order to determine legitimacy
Be cautious when clicking any links, particularly ads on social media
Importantly, contact the BlackCloak Concierge team if you are unsure about the legitimacy of a video you come across. Our staff will be happy to assist in validating a video, ad, link or any other piece of content you encounter to ensure you are protected
To learn more about deepfakes, read our guide on how deepfakes work and watch this on-demand webinar on the subject
If you have any additional questions, email us at [email protected] or schedule a Concierge Session via the BlackCloak app Support tab.
Here for you,
The BLACKCLOAK Team