Iowa joins multi-state settlement over 23andMe data breach after company’s bankruptcy

DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has announced the state is joining 42 other attorneys general in a settlement against genetic testing company 23andMe.

The settlement stems from a 2023 data breach that impacted 6.9 million people. Officials said the breach resulted in sensitive genetic data being taken and sold on the dark web. Some of the data included genetic ancestry information.

Laws cited in the action

The incident led to action under multiple consumer protection laws, including Iowa’s Consumer Fraud Act and the Iowa Consumer Data Protection Act.

Settlement amount

23andMe filed for bankruptcy in 2025. States originally sought $150 million from the company for the privacy breach, but due to the company’s lack of funds, the total settlement amount was reduced to $18 million. Iowa is set to receive just under $430,000.

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