23andme tos octoberknutsonaxios

23andMe, the genetic testing company, updated its terms of service in October 2023, which drew criticism from privacy advocates and some users. The new terms included a provision that would prevent customers from formally suing the company or pursuing class-action lawsuits against it. This provision was seen as an attempt to protect the company from potential legal fallout stemming from a data breach that occurred in late October 2023, which allowed hackers to steal the personal details of 6.9 million 23andMe users.

The new terms also allowed the company to sell customers’ genetic data to third parties without their consent. This was a significant change from previous policies, which required the company to obtain users’ explicit permission before sharing their data.

Privacy advocates and some users raised concerns about the new terms of service, arguing that they were too one-sided and gave 23andMe too much control over customers’ personal data. They also argued that the company’s decision to sell customers’ genetic data without their consent was unethical and could have serious consequences for individuals’ privacy and health.

In response to the criticism, 23andMe stated that the new terms of service were necessary to protect the company from frivolous lawsuits and to allow it to continue developing new products and services. The company also said that it would not sell customers’ genetic data to third parties without their consent, unless required to do so by law.

Despite 23andMe’s assurances, the new terms of service remained controversial. Some users continued to express concern about the company’s handling of their data, and some privacy advocates called for the company to be investigated by regulators.

In December 2023, Axios reported that 23andMe was facing multiple lawsuits related to the data breach and the new terms of service. The lawsuits were filed by users who accused the company of violating their privacy rights and breaching its contractual obligations.

The future of 23andMe and its relationship with customers is uncertain. The company is facing increasing scrutiny from regulators and privacy advocates, and the new terms of service have alienated some users. If the company does not take steps to address these concerns, it could face further legal challenges and damage its reputation.