Data Breach
23andMe (Full Disclosure) Data Breach
6.9M records exposed • October 2023
23andMe got hacked and the full scope was worse than first reported. Nearly 7 million people's DNA and ancestry information was stolen. You can change your password, but you cannot change your DNA.
What Happened
23andMe initially reported a small breach but later disclosed that 6.9 million users were affected. The stolen genetic data has permanent privacy implications.
Attack method: Credential stuffing
What Data Was Exposed
Genetic ancestry data, Names, Birth years, Locations, Family trees, DNA Relatives matches
Is your business exposed?
What to Do If You're Affected
- 1.
Enable two-factor authentication
- 2.
Opt out of DNA Relatives if concerned
- 3.
Request data deletion if desired
Lessons for Businesses
- • Genetic data breaches have lifelong implications
- • Initial breach estimates often grow
- • Credential stuffing works against reused passwords
Sources
Related Breaches
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