Overview

• The House Energy and Commerce Committee has launched a formal investigation into 23andMe’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy and its handling of customer genetic data.
• Lawmakers have expressed concerns about the security of over 15 million customers’ sensitive genetic information, particularly in light of the company’s impending asset sale.
• 23andMe has stipulated that potential buyers must adhere to its privacy policies and applicable laws, but lawmakers question how these safeguards will be enforced.
• Customers have reported technical issues when attempting to delete their data, prompting lawmakers to demand clarity on user data access and deletion rights.
• The Federal Trade Commission and the House Oversight Committee are conducting parallel inquiries into the company’s data privacy practices.