The top Republican on the U.S. Senate’s health committee, Senator Bill Cassidy, has called on the chief executive of 23andMe, Anne Wojcicki, to provide the panel with details after data from the family genetics website was advertised for sale on the dark web. In a letter to Wojcicki, Senator Cassidy expressed concerns and asked for more information. Although a hacker advertised 23andMe data earlier this month, the company stated that it had not been breached.
Senator Cassidy’s request for information comes after reports of personal data from 23andMe being sold on the dark web. The senator, as the ranking member on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, is seeking clarification from the CEO regarding the security of customer data and any potential breaches. 23andMe, a popular genetic testing service, has assured customers that their information remains safe and that the company has not experienced a breach.
The advertising of 23andMe data for sale on the dark web raises concerns about the security and privacy of personal genetic information. As genetic testing becomes more common, it is important for companies like 23andMe to ensure the protection of customer data. This incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and security measures to safeguard sensitive genetic information and prevent unauthorized access and misuse.
