A lawsuit filed by twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia against 23andMe claims that the genetic-testing company sold customer DNA data without explicit consent. The suit, filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Missouri, argues that 23andMe must obtain permission from each customer before selling their data. The company had previously agreed to sell itself and its assets in bankruptcy proceedings, with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals set to acquire it for $256 million. The lawsuit highlights concerns over the sale of sensitive personal genetic information, emphasizing its permanence and privacy implications. 23andMe initially gained popularity for offering ancestry and health-related genetic tests through mail-in kits. However, financial difficulties led to its bankruptcy filing in March 2025, followed by CEO Anne Wojcicki’s resignation.
— new from The New York Times
