Chrome Holding Company, the entity now overseeing 23andMe's successor operations, has reached a settlement with California authorities requiring a $6 million payment. The deal resolves claims that the company failed to implement sufficient protections for customers' genetic and personal data, which led to a significant 2023 data breach compromising nearly 7 million individuals' sensitive information. The settlement awaits approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Missouri and guarantees that impacted customers retain the ability to request deletion of their data and destruction of their genetic samples, according to a statement released Monday by California Attorney General Rob Bonta.
Following its March 2025 bankruptcy filing, 23andMe transferred customers' saliva samples and genetic data to the TTAM Research Institute, a nonprofit organization established by Anne Wojcicki, the company's former founder and CEO. Wojcicki currently serves as CEO of Chrome Holding Company, which entered into the settlement agreement with Bonta. The TTAM Research Institute has not yet provided a response to inquiries, and Chrome Holding Company stated it has no authorized representatives available for media communication.
Once a dominant force in Silicon Valley, 23andMe experienced declining prospects as demand for genetic testing services contracted. The 2023 data breach proved to be the decisive factor in the company's downfall.
23andMe collected genetic data about millions of people and failed to meet its obligation to keep that information safe. Companies cannot evade California's consumer protection and privacy laws by filing for bankruptcy.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta
In July, 23andMe reached a separate settlement with a coalition of 42 state attorneys general for $18 million.
