Dozens of states sue to block the sale of 23andMe personal genetic data
without customer consent
[June 10, 2025]
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia
on Monday filed a lawsuit in bankruptcy court seeking to block the sale
of personal genetic data by 23andMe without customer consent. The
lawsuit comes as a biotechnology company seeks the court's approval to
buy the struggling firm.
Biological samples, DNA data, health-related traits and medical records
are too sensitive to be sold without each person’s express, informed
consent, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a news release
about the lawsuit. Customers should have the right to control such
deeply personal information and it cannot be sold like ordinary
property, it said.
23andMe customers use saliva-based DNA testing kits to learn about their
ancestry and find long-lost relatives. Founded in 2006, the company also
conducted health research and drug development. But it struggled to find
a profitable business model since going public in 2021. In March it laid
off 40% of its staff and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in
the Eastern District of Missouri, raising concerns about the safety of
customer data.
[to top of second column]
|
A 23andMe saliva collection kit is shown on March 25, 2025, in
Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Barbara Ortutay, File)
 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals said last
month it aimed to buy the company for $256 million. Regeneron said
it would comply with 23andMe’s privacy policies and applicable law.
It said it would process all customer personal data in accordance
with the consents, privacy policies and statements, terms of
service, and notices currently in effect and have security controls
in place designed to protect such data.
A court-appointed, independent consumer privacy ombudsman was due to
examine the proposed sale and how it might affect consumer privacy
and report to the court by Tuesday.
All contents © copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved |
