Twenty-seven states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against 23andMe, seeking to block the sale of personal genetic data without customer consent as the company seeks bankruptcy approval. Oregon's Attorney General emphasized that sensitive biological samples and medical records must not be sold without informed consent. Amid financial struggles and a Chapter 11 filing, concerns regarding the safety of customer data have risen. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals aims to purchase 23andMe, pledging to adhere to privacy policies and safeguard customer data. A court-appointed privacy ombudsman will oversee the proposed sale’s impact on consumer privacy.
"Biological samples, DNA data, health-related traits and medical records are too sensitive to be sold without each person's express, informed consent," Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said.
"Customers should have the right to control such deeply personal information and it cannot be sold like ordinary property," the lawsuit emphasized.
"Regeneron said it would comply with 23andMe's privacy policies and applicable law, processing all customer personal data accordingly to ensure consumer privacy."
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