Podcast - Who Owns Your DNA? Lessons Learned from 23andMe
In the legal industry, handling business transactions is part of our daily routine. Managing the transfer of personal data during acquisitions, sales, mergers or bankruptcy proceedings has become second nature to us. We...more
The dramatic increase in global reach that the internet provides U.S.-based companies comes as a double edge sword. While it significantly increases a company’s potential customer pool, it also subjects companies to...more
En 2023, une cyberattaque d’envergure a exposé les données génétiques personnelles de millions d’utilisateurs de 23andMe, une société américaine offrant des services d’analyse du code génétique aux particuliers, poussant les...more
On June 5, 2025, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) fined 23andMe £2.31 million (~$3.1 million). The fine was for failing to implement adequate security measures to protect the personal data of over 155,000 UK...more
On June 17, 2025, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) released a summary of its investigation findings regarding a data breach at 23andMe, which affected nearly seven million customers, including...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
Welcome to our fourth issue of 2025 of Decoded - our technology law insights e-newsletter. We hope you enjoy this issue and thank you for reading. Sector by Sector: How Data Breaches are Wrecking Bottom Lines - “Data...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
23andMe’s recent Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing has sparked significant concerns over the privacy and security of genetic data belonging to its 15 million customers. Founded in 2006, 23andMe built its business around...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
The recent $30 million settlement between 23andMe and 6.4 million users following a major data breach offers important lessons for businesses dealing with sensitive genetic and genomic information....more
In the rapidly evolving landscape of data privacy and cybersecurity, the role of state attorneys general has become increasingly prominent. Here, we delve into a recent case – the data breach involving the prominent genetic...more
CYBERSECURITY - SEC’s Hacked X Account Leads to Tumultuous Bitcoin Market - The Securities and Exchange Commission has confirmed that its X account “was compromised, and an unauthorized post was posted.” The SEC...more
We previously alerted readers to the fact that the most recent data compromise of 23andMe exposed data related to Ashkenazi Jews and individuals of Chinese descent. It is reported by Ars Technica, citing TechCrunch, that...more
In October of 2023, a hacker claimed online that they had 23andMe users’ profile information. We know this as a result of 23andMe’s required statement to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on December 1, 2023. ...more
On Oct. 6, 2023, a genetic testing company offering ancestry and health reports, 23andMe, announced that its consumers’ data was listed on the dark web. Interestingly, many prominent figures such as Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk...more
We previously reported on the unfortunate data breach suffered by 23andMe last month and its implications. We never imagined how horrible it could be....more
Connecticut AG William Tong sent an inquiry letter to 23andMe, Inc. asking the genetic testing and ancestry company for more information regarding an October 6th press release in which it disclosed that customer profile...more
We have posted blogs before on sharing genetic information and the risk associated with the disclosure of such sensitive information. Unfortunately, our concerns have been realized....more
In the top three of the list of highly sensitive personal data to be concerned about is our medical information. It’s so sensitive because it is so personal. It used to be that our medical information was located in paper...more