23andMe Data Breach Victims to Receive $47 Million Payout Following 2023 Hack

Victims of the 23andMe data breach are set to receive a $47 million payout following a US judge's approval of the settlement. The 2023 hack compromised sensitive genetic data and personal information belonging to millions of individuals globally. This financial resolution addresses the considerable criticism levelled at the genetic testing firm after the incident.

The data breach, which came to light last year, involved threat actors accessing user profiles and then selling the information. 23andMe compiles genetic profiles from DNA testing kits, making the exposure of such data particularly concerning given its highly personal nature. The settlement aims to compensate those affected by the breach.

Legal proceedings have centred on a class-action lawsuit brought against 23andMe, alleging negligence in protecting customer data. The company has acknowledged the breach, which reportedly impacted a significant portion of its 14 million users, with specific attention paid to individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish and Chinese descent whose data was specifically targeted and offered for sale online.