NY AG leads lawsuit against 23andMe over genetic data sale plan

Investing.com -- New York Attorney General Letitia James, along with a bipartisan coalition of 27 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit against 23andMe to block the company from selling customers’ genetic information without consent.

The legal action comes after 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 and announced plans to auction its assets, including the sensitive genetic data of approximately 15 million Americans. The attorneys general argue that the company cannot sell this highly personal information without customers’ explicit knowledge and consent.

"23andMe cannot auction millions of people’s personal genetic information without their consent," said Attorney General James. "New Yorkers and many others around the country trusted 23andMe with their private information and they have a right to know what will be done with their information."

The coalition of attorneys general contends that genetic information, biological samples, DNA data, health-related traits, and medical records are too sensitive to be sold without each customer’s express, informed consent. They assert that 23andMe and its debtors must comply with state laws governing the sale or transfer of genetic data.

In March 2025, Attorney General James issued a consumer alert encouraging New Yorkers to contact 23andMe to request deletion of their personal data and destruction of any genetic material samples held by the company.

The lawsuit includes attorneys general from 27 states and the District of Columbia, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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