US regulators tell 23andMe to protect genetic data

Core Points - The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned 23andMe to protect users' personal information amid its bankruptcy proceedings [1][3] - 23andMe, which offers genetic testing services, filed for bankruptcy and is seeking a buyer after experiencing a significant data breach [2][5] - The FTC emphasized that any sale or transfer of personal information during bankruptcy must adhere to the company's privacy commitments [3][4] Company Overview - 23andMe, a Silicon Valley-based company, went public in 2021 and claims to have 15 million customers [5] - The company has faced declining sales as interest in genetic testing waned and suffered a data breach affecting 6.9 million accounts [5][7] - In response to financial difficulties, 23andMe laid off 40% of its workforce, approximately 200 employees, and suspended research programs [5] Data Breach Details - The data breach compromised sensitive information, including names, sex, birth year, location, photos, health information, and genetic ancestry results [7] - 23andMe has agreed to pay around $37.5 million to settle claims related to the 2023 data breach [5]