Multi-State Lawsuit Aims to Block Sale of 23andMe Personal Genetic Data

The states contended that 23andMe should obtain expressed consent from its customers before transferring or selling the data to another company.

23andMe headquarters in Sunnyvale, California, on Feb. 1, 2024. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

A coalition of 27 states and the District of Columbia has taken legal action to prevent 23andMe from selling personal genetic data in its possession without customer consent.

The California-based biotechnology company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 23 to facilitate the sale of its assets, sparking concerns over the handling of the sensitive genetic data it holds.