Consumers Affected
15,000,000
New York Attorney General Letitia James, joined by 27 other state attorneys general and the District of Columbia, filed a lawsuit against 23andMe to block the company’s planned sale of 15 million customers’ genetic and health data without their consent or knowledge. The coalition argues 23andMe must comply with state laws requiring express informed consent for the sale or transfer of sensitive genetic data. The lawsuit seeks to prevent misuse, exposure in future breaches, and unauthorized use of customers’ private genetic information.
The attorneys general seek an injunction to block 23andMe’s planned auction of 15 million customers’ genetic data without consent, and to require compliance with state laws mandating express informed consent for the sale or transfer of sensitive genetic and health information.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor agreements involving the collection, storage, or sale of genetic, health, or other sensitive consumer data to ensure they include requirements for express informed consent from consumers before any transfer, sale, or sharing of such data. Clauses related to asset sales, data transfer in bankruptcy, and sensitive data handling should be updated to explicitly require consumer consent and compliance with applicable state genetic privacy laws. Additionally, teams should verify that contracts with DNA testing, health, or biotech vendors mandate notice to consumers about any planned data transfers and prohibit unauthorized sale of sensitive genetic information.
Entity
23andMe, Inc.
Also known as: 23andMe
Industry
HealthcareOfficial Press Release
https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2025/attorney-general-james-sues-23andme-protect-new-yorkers-genetic-data
the state of arizona et al v 23andme inc complaint 2025
https://ag.ny.gov/sites/default/files/court-filings/the-state-of-arizona-et-al-v-23andme-inc-complaint-2025.pdf
New York Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://ag.ny.gov/press-releases
"Attorney General James Sues 23andMe to Protect New Yorkers’ Genetic Data"
"June 10, 2025"
"New York Attorney General Letitia James"
"filed a lawsuit against 23andMe"
"23andMe, a popular direct-to-consumer DNA testing company"
"without their consent or knowledge"
$18.0M
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general in announcing a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations from a 2023 data breach that compromised genetic data of 6.9 million people worldwide, including nearly 150,000 in New Jersey. The settlement provides $18 million to states from available bankruptcy funds, plus enhanced data security and consumer deletion rights for the successor entity, 23andMe Research Institute.
$18.0M
A coalition of 42 state attorneys general settled with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe over a 2023 data breach that exposed genetic data of 6.9 million customers. The states will receive $18 million from bankruptcy funds, and 23andMe agreed to enhanced data security requirements and consumer deletion rights as part of the asset sale to TTAM Research Institute.
$18.0M
A coalition of 42 state attorneys general reached a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe over a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers. The settlement provides $18 million from bankruptcy funds, with Minnesota receiving $514,871, and imposes data security requirements on the successor entity, 23andMe Research Institute.
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson issued a letter to the U.S. Trustee overseeing the 23andMe bankruptcy proceeding, expressing concerns about the potential sale or transfer of consumers' personal genetic data. The letter underscores the importance of companies honoring their privacy promises to consumers, particularly regarding sensitive information, during bankruptcy proceedings.
New York Attorney General Letitia James obtained a temporary restraining order from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California blocking Paramount Skydance Corp.'s proposed $110 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. The lawsuit alleges the merger would illegally reduce competition in film and television, leading to higher prices and fewer choices for consumers.
$18.0M
New York Attorney General Letitia James and a bipartisan coalition of 42 other attorneys general secured an $18 million settlement from genetic testing company 23andMe for failing to protect customers' private genetic data. The October 2023 data breach exposed sensitive genetic information of 6.9 million consumers, including 305,245 in New York, with some data published for sale on the dark web. The settlement includes monetary penalties and new data protection requirements for the company and its successor, 23andMe Research Institute.