Podcast - Who Owns Your DNA? Lessons Learned from 23andMe
The court-appointed Consumer Privacy Ombudsman (CPO) in the 23andMe bankruptcy last month released a 200-plus-page report assessing the privacy implications of the proposed sale of 23andMe’s assets as part of its Chapter 11...more
After Foley Hoag’s prior updates regarding the chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of 23andMe Holding Co and its affiliated debtors (collectively, “23andMe”), the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri...more
Last month Restructuring Perspectives highlighted crucial issues at the intersection of privacy and distress presented by the Chapter 11 case of 23andMe. Specifically, “Data for Sale” discussed the recent appointment of a...more
There is nothing more inherently unique and personal to an individual than his or her DNA. Unlike many other types of personal information, a person’s DNA is immutable. It can be the key to unlocking extremely sensitive...more
Consumers have been trading their DNA for a personal genetic history lesson with 23andMe since 2007. The company has since become extremely popular and has collected a trove of genetic information relating to more than 14...more
On March 23, 2025, 23andMe, along with its affiliates, filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company’s decision to file for bankruptcy follows in the wake of a 2023 data breach affecting close to 7 million customer...more
As noted in our last two client alerts, the issue as to who should be the watchdog to protect consumer personal data is coming to a head in the chapter 11 bankruptcy cases of 23andMe Holding Co and its affiliated debtors...more
Several state attorneys general (AGs) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have begun scrutinizing ancestry tracking company 23andMe following its recent announcement that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As part of...more
In the ongoing saga of the 23andMe bankruptcy, Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson recently sent a letter to the Trustee overseeing the 23andMe bankruptcy proceeding stating, “As Chairman of the Federal Trade...more