In a significant turn of events, Attorney General Letitia James, together with a coalition of her peers from 27 states, has taken legal action against the personal genetics company 23andMe. This move comes in the wake of the company's bankruptcy declaration and subsequent announcement that it plans to sell its assets. Central to the concerns of the attorneys general is the potential sale of 15 million customers' genetic data—information that carries with it a degree of sensitivity and privacy that demands special caution.
"23andMe cannot auction millions of people’s personal genetic information without their consent," stated Attorney General James. New Yorkers and citizens across the country provided their data under the presumption of privacy, and the coalition seeks to ensure that this trust is not misplaced. Despite 23andMe's precarious financial situation, the coalition argues that genetic data must not become a commodity to be bartered without express and informed consent of the individuals involved.
The alarming potential for misuse of such data is not lost on these legal guardians; there is an acknowledgment that once such personal information is out in the wild, it could be subject to data breaches or be used in ways customers never anticipated. This notion fuels their collective effort to prevent the unfettered sale of sensitive information. In March 2025, in anticipation of legal maneuvers, Attorney General James took a proactive step, issuing an alert urging individuals to request the deletion of their personal data from 23andMe's files.
Heading the lawsuit are representatives from a diverse range of states, including Arizona, Colorado, and Connecticut, as well as more, each joining in the bid to shield constituents from unauthorized dispersal of their genetic profiles. The Coalition's stance is clear: 23andMe and any involved debtors must adhere to the respective laws of the states concerning the transfer or sale of genetic data. The far-reaching implications of this case continue to unfold, with customers' rights and the future of genetic privacy hanging in balance.
