California settles 23andMe data breach claims for $6 million

In a recent development, California has agreed to receive a $6 million settlement from 23andMe in the wake of a 2023 data breach, according to attorney general Rob Bonta. The breach, which exposed sensitive genetic and personal information of over 855,000 Californians, prompted the state to challenge 23andMe's $305 million asset sale to TTAM Research Institute, a nonprofit organization led by 23andMe co-founder Anne Wojcicki.

Although the state's efforts to block the sale were unsuccessful, Bonta emphasized that customers of 23andMe can still delete their data, regardless of the company's ownership. The settlement resolves California's legal claims arising from the 2023 data breach, which 23andMe has agreed to pay a total of $46.75 million to victims.