23andMe Holding Co (NASDAQ:ME) Jewish and Chinese Users

Rhea-AI Summary

23andMe (NASDAQ:ME) faced a significant data breach in December 2023, impacting 7 million users. Hackers targeted Jewish and Chinese customers, selling their genetic information on the dark web. The company failed to disclose this critical detail to affected customers, putting their safety at risk. A class action lawsuit has been filed, highlighting the severity of the breach and the potential consequences for vulnerable individuals.

Insights

Data Security Analyst

With the reported breach of 23andMe's database, the impact on data security is profound. The targeted nature of the attack, focusing on specific ethnic groups, raises significant concerns regarding the protection of sensitive genetic information. The breach not only undermines customer trust but also exposes the company to substantial legal and financial risks. It is essential for companies holding sensitive data to implement robust encryption and multi-factor authentication protocols. Furthermore, the incident underscores the need for transparent communication with affected users and the importance of timely breach notifications to mitigate potential harm.

Legal Expert

The legal ramifications of this breach are substantial. The delay in notification and the alleged concealment of the targeted nature of the attack could lead to violations of state, federal and international privacy laws. Companies are typically required to inform affected individuals and regulatory bodies in a timely manner about the scope and specifics of data breaches. The failure to do so can result in hefty fines and damages awarded in class-action lawsuits. The legal proceedings will likely focus on the adequacy of 23andMe's data protection measures and the timeliness and completeness of their communication with customers and authorities.

Ethical Business Practices Analyst

The ethical implications of this cyberattack are significant. The alleged targeting of Jewish and Chinese individuals for their genetic information raises concerns about discrimination and potential misuse of genetic data. Ethical business practices dictate that companies must uphold the highest standards of data privacy, especially when handling such sensitive information. This breach highlights the need for stringent ethical oversight and the implementation of best practices in data management to prevent misuse and protect vulnerable populations from potential exploitation.

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / February 20, 2024 / 23andMe (NASDAQ:ME) was hacked in December 2023, affecting approximately 7 million users of its genetic services website. According to a recently filed class complaint, hackers who infiltrated 23andMe's system were after the personal information of Jewish and Chinese customers, but the company hid that detail when notifying affected customers.

The hackers specifically targeted the personal genetic information of Jewish and Chinese customers and compiled that data - including genetic heritage, names, and addresses - into lists that were then sold on the dark web, but 23andMe concealed both those revelations when it announced the extent of the breach in December 2023.

According to the lawsuit, the hacker leaked a list of over 1 million Jewish customers expressly in retribution for the Israel-Hamas war. The hacker was also more than happy to leak a list of 350,000 Chinese customers upon request from a user with the alias "Wuhan."These lists generated a huge amount of interest from hackers on the dark web from all over the world and were shared and reshared an untold number of times.

The disclosure of these lists threatens the safety of those customers, including from the Chinese government, which has a long history of tracking Chinese citizens.

According to the lawsuit,to this day, 23andMe has not informed the 7 million compromised customers that their personal genetic information was disclosed on the dark web, nor has it told its Jewish and Chinese customers that they were specifically targeted.

IF YOU ARE A VULNERABLE person whose personal genetic information identifies you as having Ashkenazi Jewish heritage or Chinese ancestry, and/or live in California, Illinois, Oregon, or Alaska, please contact us to review your rights and eligibility for compensation:

https://bit.ly/3sYm8Cn

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:

According to a recently filed class action complaint, on Oct. 1, 2023, a hacker using the alias "Golem" leaked the 23andMe data of 1 million Ashkenazi Jews on Breach Forums, calling it "the most valuable data you'll ever see."

"Golem's explicit targeting of Jewish 23andMe users is further conveyed by his use of the character 'Gollum' from The Lord of the Rings - a creature driven by greed with ugly and outsized facial features - as his profile picture."

A few hours later, a user with the alias "Wuhan" asked Golem if he had "Chinese accounts," according to the complaint. The next day, Golem leaked the data of 7 million users, saying in the post that the customer information included phenotype and health information, photos, and identification data.

Golem listed prices for the customer profiles at $1,000 for 100 profiles, $5,000 for 1,000 profiles, $20,000 for 10,000 profiles and $100,000 for 100,000 profiles.

Interest in the leaked Jewish and Chinese information was immediate and overwhelming following an Israeli bombing of a Palestinian hospital.

23andMe attempted to shift the blame to customers, telling them the breach was a result of customers using recycled login credentials from their accounts on other websites.Further, 23andMe then waited until December to report that 7 million customers were directly affected by the breach and didn't say anything about the data being sold on the dark web or that Jewish and Chinese customers were specifically targeted.

Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected customers are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out more:

https://bit.ly/3sYm8Cn

Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us as www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
33 Whitehall Street, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10004
jlevi@levikorsinsky.com
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
www.zlk.com

CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.
33 Whitehall Street, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10004
jlevi@levikorsinsky.com
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
https://zlk.com/

SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What happened to 23andMe in December 2023?

23andMe experienced a data breach that affected 7 million users, with hackers targeting Jewish and Chinese customers.

What information was compromised in the breach?

The hackers obtained personal genetic information, including heritage, names, and addresses of the affected customers.

How did 23andMe respond to the breach?

23andMe failed to disclose the specific targeting of Jewish and Chinese customers by hackers, putting their safety at risk.

What legal action has been taken against 23andMe?

A class action lawsuit has been filed against 23andMe for failing to inform compromised customers about the breach and the specific targeting of vulnerable individuals.