California Settles 23andMe Data Breach Lawsuit for $6 Million
California has reached a $6 million settlement with 23andMe over a data breach, separate from an $18 million multistate settlement that 42 attorneys general agreed to earlier. The agreements resolve legal claims stemming from the breach of the genetic testing company's customer data.
Why this matters: Genetic data is not like a leaked email. It tells stories about your health, your ancestry, and your biological relatives — people who never agreed to share anything with 23andMe. When that data leaks, the damage does not expire. You cannot change your DNA. Settlement money rarely reaches the people affected in any meaningful way, and $6 million is a small number for a breach of this sensitivity. The more important question is what happens to all that genetic data now that 23andMe has faced serious financial trouble and its future is uncertain.
Who should care: Cybersecurity · Privacy officers · Administrators · Lawyers · Compliance · Healthcare professionals
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