The Register

Biting the hand that feeds IT — Enterprise Technology News and Analysis

23andMe inherits lawsuit over 'disturbing' DNA data breach

The office of Rob Bonta, California's attorney general, is suing 23andMe for the data protection failings that led to the genetics company's disastrous 2023 breach. Bonta and his team claim [PDF] that 23andMe failed to implement adequate security controls for the sensitive records it stored, and misled customers about the nature of the mishap after the fact. "23andMe collected genetic data about millions of people, failed to meet its obligation under California law to keep that information safe, and then lied to consumers about the severity of its 2023 data breach," said Bonta on Thursday. "Our investigation found that the company failed to take basic steps to protect users' data – data including the sensitive personal information, family histories, and health conditions of consumers "The sale of this data on the dark web took place amidst a period of mounting anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander and antisemitic hate and violence – and explicitly called attention to the deeply personal and identifying nature of that information. This is disturbing and incredibly dangerous. Today, my office is suing 23andMe for its categorical failure to comply with California law." The lawsuit was filed against Chrome Holding Co., formerly known as 23andMe. TTAM Research Institute bought 23andMe's assets last year. TTAM Research Institute was founded and is led by Anne Wojcicki, who was also 23andMe's CEO at the time of the breach and one of the company's co-founders. The nonprofit's purchase of 23andMe assets was completed on July 14, 2025, at which time it promised to run 23andMe charitably, using its data to further medical research and education. 23andMe continues to operate as it always did, taking customers' saliva samples and turning it into fun insights, such as what percentage of their makeup is Neanderthal, and whether their DNA makes them more or less likely to enjoy a scattering of cilantro on their food. 'Disturbing' Announcing the lawsuit, Bonta's office used "disturbing" no less than three times to describe the events that transpired before and after 23andMe's mega breach. To recap, a cybercriminal going by the name Golem popped up on a forum in 2023 claiming to offer a slew of data belonging to millions of 23andMe customers. Investigations carried out by regulators later found that Golem only breached around 14,000 accounts, but because of 23andMe's DNA relatives feature, which allows users to connect with other 23andMe users who share a percentage of the same DNA, the crook was able to access the details of nearly 7 million customers. It also soon emerged that 23andMe failed to spot the intrusion for five months, and the 14,000 or so accounts Golem accessed were compromised as a result of credential-stuffing attacks. What followed was a multi-faceted game of finger-pointing. 23andMe's decision to blame customers for recycling credentials instead of admitting it should have mandated 2/MFA on all accounts by default went down about as badly as one might expect. To this day, 23andMe allows customers to use its service without 2/MFA, although it issues regular prompts to those who don't have it set up. Regulators, on the other hand, highlighted that the company's security practices were less than perfect, while security experts were divided. Many agreed there was blame to be placed on both sides. Then came the fines and the settlements. The UK's Information Commissioner hit the company with a £2.3 million ($3.09 million) fine in June 2025, three months after the bankruptcy filing. In its ruling, it echoed the findings of US authorities from 2023, accusing the company of relying on inadequate password requirements. The Information Commissioner rebuked 23andMe for failing to detect the intrusion promptly and not implementing measures to prevent bulk downloading of genetic data. 23andMe also settled a class action lawsuit for $30 million in 2024. Bonta's office alleged that 23andMe’s statements to customers were "misleading and omitted or misrepresented critical information." "While 23andMe assured the public that it had not experienced a data security incident within its systems, downplayed the sensitivity of the stolen data by claiming that the information stolen from the 'DNA Relatives' feature was essentially public, and attempted to shift blame for the breach to its customers, 23andMe was simultaneously negotiating and paying a ransom to the threat actor in exchange for, among other things, the threat actor removing damaging information regarding the breach that had been posted online and providing information about multiple 23andMe security vulnerabilities, including vulnerabilities the threat actor exploited during the data breach." The Register contacted 23andMe's publicists for a response. We only received one on behalf of the 23andMe Research Institute, which despite managing requests directed to the 23andMe platform's only press contact address, distanced itself from Chrome Holding, which, like TTAM Research Institute, does not have a public-facing contact. It also did not help us contact 23andMe's operator. The institute said: "The 23andMe Research Institute is a newly established independent nonprofit organization and is not involved in the matters described in the California Attorney General's complaint filed against Chrome Holding Co., formerly known as 23andMe. The lawsuit pertains to events and operations associated with the former commercial entity prior to the creation of the 23andMe Research Institute. The institute was not involved in the complaint and has no role in the underlying litigation. "The 23andMe Research Institute is focused on advancing nonprofit scientific and health research with a strong commitment to privacy, ethics, transparency, and responsible data stewardship." ®

The Guardian

Latest news, sport, business, comment, analysis and reviews from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice

French Open court layouts are causing injuries to players, says Iga Swiatek

  • Players colliding with hoardings and rain covers on courts

  • ‘I hope they’re going to put them in a different place’

Iga Swiatek has called for the French Open to make changes to the layout of their courts after multiple players were forced to withdraw this week having been injured when tripping over obstacles at the back of the Roland Garros courts.

On Friday, the Turkish player Zeynep Sonmez had been chasing down a lob when she ran into one of the Lacoste advertising boards placed at the back of the court and fell to the floor. After a medical time out, Sonmez, alongside her partner, Tatjana Maria, was forced to retire from her second-round doubles match against Dayana Yastremska and Anhelina Kalinina while trailing 2-0.

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PSG’s motivation greater than Arsenal’s desire for first title, says Luis Enrique

  • Luis Enrique: ‘Retaining it is source of inspiration for us’

  • Expects to name same outfield 10 as in 2025 final

Luis Enrique has insisted Paris Saint-Germain’s motivation to retain their Champions League title is greater than Arsenal’s quest to be crowned European champions for the first time.

PSG demolished Inter 5-0 in last year’s final in Munich and are strong favourites for Saturday’s showdown at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. Arsenal have reached this stage for the first time since 2006, when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris, and Arteta caused a stir in the week when he said: “We will be European champions on Saturday.”

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Huge haul of weight-loss drugs seized on Northampton country estate

Two men arrested in raid in which 12,000 doses of unlicensed weight-loss medicines were recovered

A country estate near Northampton has become the centre of the largest ever seizure of unlicensed weight-loss medicines in the UK.

Two men aged 29 were arrested during a raid in which the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) recovered about 12,000 doses of unlicensed weight-loss medicines.

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‘He was alive – you saw it in his eyes’: inside the years that shaped Mikel Arteta

In the runup to the Champions League final, the Arsenal manager’s first footballing steps in the Basque Country and Barcelona are recalled by those who shared them

The way Santi Cazorla tells it, rolling about laughing, Mikel Arteta may just be the worst person you could ever wish to watch a match with. Which is why he knew his friend would be a coach and why he told him to go away and become one, convinced great things were coming. “When we were injured at Arsenal, we used to meet at home for games, and he would grab the remote and pause it,” Cazorla recalls. “I would say: ‘What are you stopping it for?’ He would say: ‘No, go back, go back,’ rewind it 30 seconds, and then ask: ‘What do you see?’ I would say: ‘I see a paused screen. I don’t see anything!’”

So Arteta would explain. “‘Don’t you think this player is badly positioned? … If he goes a bit deeper, this space opens up … if the pivot goes there, this happens … that line should be deeper …’ I would look at him and think: ‘What’s with this guy?’” Cazorla continues, still cracking up. “He was a coach already. All game, every game: pausing, rewinding. The match is finished and we’re only in the 35th minute. ‘Do you see it?’ ‘Yes, yes, you’re right, now come on, press play.’ But I didn’t see it. I love football, I can watch it all day, but I don’t notice those things. Mikel does. I think it’s a gift.”

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UK influencer met senior officials on state-sponsored tours of Iran, fact-checking body finds

Bushra Shaikh, from Surrey, who appeared in The Apprentice, ‘ highly active’ in spreading regime message

A UK television personality went on two state-sponsored tours of Iran this spring where she met senior officials and was “active” in spreading the regime’s message, according to an investigation by a Iranian fact-checking organisation.

Bushra Shaikh, from Surrey, owned a luxury clothing brand and finished ninth on series 13 of The Apprentice in 2017, where she described herself as “inspired by Coco Chanel”.

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Rittenkaper of klassementsman; Thymen Arensman is het inmiddels allebei

Thymen Arensman (26) brak vorig seizoen door met twee ritzeges in de Tour de France. Dit jaar laat hij in de Giro d’Italia zien waarom hij al jaren als Nederlands beste klassementsrenner gezien wordt. Een podiumplek behoort nog steeds tot de mogelijkheden.


Strijd om Nexperia laait op met spervuur aan nieuwe rechtszaken

Het juridisch gevecht om chipmaker Nexperia breidt zich uit met nieuwe rechtszaken tegen de Europese bestuurders, zowel in China als in Nederland.


404 Media

404 Media is an independent media company founded by technology journalists Jason Koebler, Emanuel Maiberg, Samantha Cole, and Joseph Cox.

Behind the Blog: Being New and Some Numbers

Behind the Blog: Being New and Some Numbers

This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we discuss going deeper, Google's search changes, and a rogue zine.

SAM: Something I’ve been thinking about lately is the way a line of reporting or even an entire beat or set of beats can be in conversation with itself over time. I’m thinking of this more in the last week because I published this story about a high school that’s dealing with synthetic imagery harassment—AI generated child sexual abuse material to be specific—and a lot of the people involved in that story are learning about deepfakes for the first time through this very traumatizing, difficult situation.


The Moscow Times - Independent News From Russia

The Moscow Times offers everything you need to know about Russia: Breaking news, top stories, business, analysis, opinion, multimedia

​Political Prisoners Are Dying in Russian Jails. These People Are Keeping Their Memory Alive.

At least six Russian political prisoners have died in custody so far this year, according to rights advocates.

Wel.nl

Minder lezen, Meer weten.

AEX sluit licht lager, bouwbedrijf BAM uitblinker op Damrak

AMSTERDAM (ANP) - De AEX-index op de aandelenbeurs in Amsterdam is vrijdag op de laatste handelsdag van mei met een klein verlies gesloten. Bij de bedrijven op de Amsterdamse beurs was bouwer BAM een opvallende stijger dankzij een koopadvies van beleggingsadviseur Oddo BHF.

BAM won 16,6 procent in de MidKap. Oddo BHF haalde het bedrijf van de verkooplijst en zette BAM op zijn kooplijst. Daarbij werd onder meer gewezen op verbetering van de winstgevendheid van BAM bij zijn activiteiten in het Verenigd Koninkrijk. Oddo BHF verhoogde ook het koersdoel voor BAM. Branchegenoot Heijmans liftte mee en steeg bijna 5 procent bij de middelgrote fondsen op het Damrak.

De AEX eindigde 0,2 procent lager op 1034,93 punten. Over de hele maand mei werd een winst van ruim 2 procent geboekt. Maandag sloot de hoofdgraadmeter nog op de hoogste slotstand ooit.

De MidKap won 1 procent tot 1095,57 punten. De beurzen in Londen en Parijs gingen licht omlaag. De DAX-index in Frankfurt won een fractie. De Duitse inflatie is volgens voorlopige cijfers in mei gedaald naar 2,6 procent op jaarbasis, onder meer door een tijdelijke accijnsverlaging aan de pomp waardoor tanken goedkoper werd.

ABN AMRO was de sterkste stijger in de AEX met een plus van 1,6 procent. De bank heeft het aandeleninkoopprogramma van 250 miljoen euro afgerond. ING won 0,8 procent. Bierbrouwer Heineken was hekkensluiter bij de hoofdfondsen met een min van 2,3 procent.

In de MidKap was metalengroep AMG Critical eveneens een winnaar met een plus van meer dan 5 procent dankzij een verhoging van het koersdoel door zakenbank Citi. Speciaalchemieconcern Corbion was de grootste daler met een koersverlies van 4,4 procent.

Bij de kleinere fondsen op Beursplein leverde Acomo 7,6 procent aan beurswaarde in. De noten-, kruiden- en zadenhandelaar werd door ING van de kooplijst gehaald.

De olieprijzen zakten tot 1,9 procent door hoop op een snel einde aan de oorlog in het Midden-Oosten en een volledige heropening van de Straat van Hormuz voor olietankers.


thexiffy

Last.fm last recent tracks from thexiffy.

Boudewijn de Groot - Verdronken Vlinder

Boudewijn de Groot

Daft Punk - Rock'n Roll

Daft Punk

Behance Featured Projects

The latest projects featured on the Behance

Roaming around - streets of Seoul


VK: Voorpagina

Volkskrant.nl biedt het laatste nieuws, opinie en achtergronden

Waarom hebben mannen doorgaans een lagere stem dan vrouwen?

Bruins en Koopmans sparen in eerste coronaverhoren de Tweede Kamer niet

Nederland heeft Derde Wereldoorlog nu al gewonnen: Máxima krijgt BARET

Daar is dan het definitieve signaal naar Poetin dat er met ons NIET TE FUKKEN valt. Onze eigenste koonegin Máxima heeft haar basistraining bij de reserves afgerond en heeft daarom haar BARET verdiend. Op de militairenmuts prijkt een GOUDEN LEEUW op een rode achtergrond, ook wel 'het teken van de grote of generale staf' (hihi grote staf). Betekent dus dat onze vorstin tussen alle vorstinnendingen door heeft leren marcheren, tijgeren, patrouilleren, posten, kompaslezen, wondverbinden, poepkuilgraven en uiteraard SCHIETEN. (Dat met die uzi bij 't Harde was een beetje dom.) Betekent eveneens dat, met meerdere opgeleide reservisten in het gezin, het Koninklijke zooitje niet meer bij het vallen van de eerste de beste vijandelijke knalerwt ophoepelt naar Engeland. Onze koningin gaat gewoon voor ons in de loopgraaf liggen. Toch??

Social

Fallstaff, Frantelli from Klainguti

Thomas Hawk posted a photo:

Fallstaff, Frantelli from Klainguti

Awesome.


While in Genoa … if you have time … go to the Klainguti bakery and get the Falstaff pastry … Verdi used to go there and they made the pastry for him after Falstaff flopped.

Rijnmond - Nieuws

Het laatste nieuws van vandaag over Rotterdam, Feyenoord, het verkeer en het weer in de regio Rijnmond

Boom op snelweg door onstuimig weer: lange tijd rijstroken dicht

Op de A13 ter hoogte van De Zweth is vrijdagmiddag een grote boom op de weg gevallen door het onstuimige weer. In de richting van Rotterdam waren om die reden een lange tijd drie rijstroken dicht. Na zo'n drie uur wist de brandweer de boom te verwijderen.

Boom op snelweg door onstuimig weer: rijstroken dicht en uur vertraging

Op de A13 ter hoogte van De Zweth is een grote boom op de weg gevallen door het onstuimige weer. In de richting van Rotterdam zijn om die reden drie rijstroken dicht. De brandweer gaat aan de slag om de boom te verwijderen.