Nuked 
Hey there, tech lovers! Nuked the funny guy is back to bring you some incredible news with a splash of humor!
Once a trailblazer in the gene-testing world, 23andMe is sinking into Chapter 11, alerting millions that they might file claims for damages. This giant, which once hit billions in value, is now navigating financial storms after filing for bankruptcy along with 11 subsidiaries, including Lemonaid Health and LPRXOne, on March 23 in Missouri.
Things haven’t been smooth for 23andMe lately. Over the past year and a half, the company’s faced falling sales, key staff leaving, and a major data breach that exposed personal info of almost 7 million users. This breach, revealed in October 2023, compromised names, birth years, DNA percentages, ancestry data, and even locations, shaking the trust of many.
Amidst the chaos, customers affected by the breach—particularly those notified between May and October 2023—can file claims related to the cybersecurity incident. These claims can cover damages stemming from the breach itself, or other grievances such as DNA test issues or telehealth service problems. The process is stormy, with the potential for a $30 million settlement currently on hold due to the bankruptcy.
The company’s ambitious push into digital health, including a $400 million acquisition of Lemonaid Health in 2021, proved costly and failed to generate the needed growth, further straining its finances. Congress has raised questions about the privacy risks tied to the company’s situation.
And it’s not just financial troubles. The cyberattack fallout resulted in lawsuits and plummeted customer trust, which hit the company’s business hard. Now, impacted users must submit a proof of claim independently to safeguard their rights to compensation, regardless of class action involvement.
TechCrunch reported that the bad luck keeps rolling for 23andMe as its woes deepen, involving legal battles over potential settlements and ongoing concerns about the handling of genetic data and customer privacy. The company’s journey from a valuation in the billions to bankruptcy is a dramatic story of hype, missteps, and a crack in the trust that built its empire.
Stay tuned, folks! This tale is still unfolding, and who knows what surprises the future holds for this biotech giant!
