23andMe DNA Testing Company Settles Data Breach: How to Claim Your Part of $47 Million

The DNA testing company 23andMe has agreed to pay $47 million to settle claims from a major data breach. Starting in April 2023, hackers broke into customer accounts and stole personal information from about 7 million people. The stolen data included genetic information, family trees, and personal details. Criminals then posted much of this information on the dark web, where it could be sold or shared. If you or anyone in your family used 23andMe for ancestry or health testing, your genetic data may have been stolen. This includes information about your DNA, ethnicity estimates, family connections, and any health reports you received.

Even if you did not use the service yourself, your genetic information might have been exposed if a relative used it and shared family connections.

Here is what you should do right now. First, visit the official settlement website to check if you are eligible for compensation. You will need proof that you were a 23andMe customer during the breach period. Second, change your 23andMe password immediately if you have not already done so. Make it strong and unique, different from passwords you use anywhere else. Third, enable two-factor authentication on your 23andMe account and any other accounts that contain sensitive information. Fourth, watch for suspicious emails or texts claiming to be from 23andMe. Scammers often target breach victims with fake messages. Going forward, protect your most sensitive accounts with strong, unique passwords. Consider using a password manager to keep track of them. Never reuse passwords across multiple sites. If one site gets breached, hackers will try those credentials everywhere else. For services that contain medical, financial, or genetic information, always turn on two-factor authentication. This adds a second layer of security that makes it much harder for criminals to access your accounts even if they steal your password.