23andMe Data Breach Settlement: Are You Eligible for a Payout?
Claims are now open for teh $30 million settlement resulting from the 2023 data breach at 23andMe. Here’s what you need to know.
the Breach and the Lawsuit
In 2023, 23andMe, a company providing ancestry information through genetic material analysis, experienced a meaningful data breach. The company announced the breach in october 2023, but the full extent wasn’t confirmed until December. The breach, which began in April 2023, exposed the personal information of approximately half of the company’s 14 million users.
later, a lawsuit was filed in January 2024, alleging that 23andMe failed to adequately protect customer data and notify affected users, notably those with Chinese or Ashkenazi jewish ancestry, whose data was specifically targeted and disseminated on the dark web. The company later agreed to a $30 million settlement to resolve the claims.
A 23andMe spokesman stated, We have executed a settlement agreement for an aggregate cash payment of $30 million to settle all US claims regarding the 2023 credential stuffing security incident. We continue to believe this settlement is in the best interest of 23andMe customers, and we look forward to finalizing the agreement.
making a Claim: What You Need to Know
An official method is now available to file a claim and perhaps receive compensation from 23andMe. In certain specific cases, payouts could reach as high as $10,000.
Pro Tip
gather all relevant documentation, such as identity theft reports, falsified tax return records, receipts for security systems, and mental health treatment bills, to support your claim for remarkable losses.
Who is Eligible?
- Approximately 6.9 million 23andMe customers whose data was compromised in the breach.
- Must have been a U.S. resident on Aug. 11, 2023.
- Includes around 5.5 million users of 23andMe’s DNA Relatives profiles and 1.4 million users of the Family Tree service.
Potential Compensation
- Extraordinary Claims: Up to $10,000 for users who can demonstrate verifiable hardships resulting directly from the data breach, including unreimbursed costs related to identity fraud, falsified tax returns, physical security systems, or mental health treatment.
- Genetic Privacy Law Payments: Residents of Alaska, California, Illinois, and Oregon may be eligible for payments (estimated around $100) due to state genetic privacy laws.
- Personal Health Information Impact: A subset of affected users whose personal health information was impacted may be eligible for a $100 payment.
Additional Settlement Benefits
along with monetary payments, 23andMe will provide impacted users with three years of Privacy Shield, a security monitoring service offering substantial web and dark web monitoring.
How to File a Claim
To file a claim, use one of the following methods:
- Online Portal: File electronically via the official online portal.
- Proof of Claim: An additional online form is available if you woudl like proof of your claim sent to you.
- Mail: Download and print the claim form and proof of claim form and mail them to the address listed on the official claims website.
The deadline to make your claim is July 14.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Did You Know?
Class-action lawsuits are designed to allow a large group of people with similar grievances to bring a claim collectively, increasing their chances of a favorable outcome.
