23andMe Pays $18 Million for Data Breach That Exposed Genetic Information

New York Attorney General Letitia James and 42 other state attorneys general have secured an $18 million settlement from 23andMe for failing to protect customers' genetic and personal data. The genetic testing company did not adequately safeguard sensitive information, which led to customer data being exposed. This settlement is part of ongoing legal action against the company for its security failures. If you or anyone in your family has ever used 23andMe's genetic testing services, your genetic information and personal data may have been affected. This includes not just your DNA results, but potentially your name, contact information, and other details you provided when signing up for the service.

Even if you have not used 23andMe recently, your old account data may still have been involved in this breach.

Here is what 23andMe customers should do now:

1. Check if you are eligible for any compensation from this settlement. Visit the official settlement website when it becomes available, or watch for official communications from the attorneys general.
2. Log into your 23andMe account and review your privacy settings. Consider whether you want to keep your account active or delete it.
3. If you decide to delete your account, request that 23andMe delete all of your genetic data from their systems. Keep a record of this request.
4. Monitor your email and other accounts for suspicious activity. Change your 23andMe password if you have used the same password on other websites.
5. Be alert for phishing emails claiming to be from 23andMe or related to the settlement. Scammers often exploit news like this to trick people. Think carefully before sharing genetic information with any company in the future. Unlike a password or credit card number, you cannot change your DNA if it gets exposed. Before using genetic testing services, research their privacy policies and security track record. Remember that genetic information can reveal details not just about you, but also about your family members who did not consent to testing.