Summary

California’s attorney general is suing 23andMe over a 2023 incident that exposed customers’ genetic and personal information, saying the company did not do enough to protect highly sensitive data. The case highlights the ongoing risk to people who shared DNA, family history, and account details with the service.

Who Is at Risk

People who used 23andMe and shared personal, family, or DNA-related information with the company are most at risk.

What to Watch For

Before sharing DNA, health, ancestry, or family-history information online, watch for how the company says it will store, use, share, protect, or sell that data. This kind of information is deeply personal, hard to change, and can reveal details about you and your relatives, so weak privacy settings or unclear data-sharing policies can create long-term risks.

What to Do

Review any genetic testing, ancestry, health, or family-history accounts you use. Check privacy settings, remove information you no longer want stored online, avoid sharing more data than necessary, and use strong account protection so sensitive personal information is harder to access or misuse.