HARRISBURG – Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that he, along with a coalition of Attorneys General, support the potential sale of 23andMe to a newly formed non-profit medical research organization.
Since 23andMe filed bankruptcy, Attorney General Sunday objected to any sale of the company that would potentially expose the DNA data and other personal information of millions of consumers — including many Pennsylvanians. His formal objection was filed earlier this month.
In a recent development, as part of the bankruptcy court process, a non-profit was selected as winning bidder, with a bid of $305 million, to obtain the genetic data and information currently owned by 23andMe.
“I am relieved and encouraged that this potential sale will safeguard very personal data that Pennsylvanians and consumers nationwide wish to keep private,” Attorney General Sunday said. “That said, any consumer with a 23andMe profile should research and make their own decision as to whether they want to delete that profile.”
Consumers who wish to delete their personal and genetic information from 23andMe’s website may still do so and can find directions to complete that deletion here.
The newly-formed medical research non-profit, TTAM Research Institute, was created by 23andMe founder and CEO Ann Wojciki.
This transition, while unusual, addresses many of the concerns raised by the Attorneys General in the lawsuit and objection. The Attorneys General continue to object to the notion that consumer DNA should ever be a part of a bankruptcy auction; however, this group of Attorneys General believes that TTAM offers meaningful consumer protections and will provide uninterrupted service for current 23andMe users. Some key conditions of the sale include:
- No transfer of consumer DNA. All data will remain in place and under the same privacy policies, cybersecurity protections, and management.
- Consumers have control over their data. TTAM will continue to allow consumers to permanently delete their data at any time, with new policies in place to ensure that deletion requests are honored and can be verified by state regulators.
- Relief for cybersecurity breach victims will be provided. Part of the $305 million bid from TTAM will help pay claims to the 7 million people affected by the 2023 23andMe cybersecurity breach.
- Emphasizing scientific research. Since TTAM is a non-profit organization, this will allow it to more freely partner with public institutions and researchers who are working on medical research from those who consented to having their data used for such research.
On June 27, 2025, the Court approved the sale to TTAM which will continue to be subject to the enhanced privacy and consumer protection terms as negotiated by the coalition of state Attorneys General with 23andMe and TTAM.
The Office of Attorney General continues to monitor this transition closely to ensure consumers’ privacy rights are protected.
Consumers who have been impacted by the bankruptcy of 23andMe may file a complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection online or by phone at 1-800-441-2555.
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