2023-10-24 22:04:23
Zeba Siddiqui couple
Genetic testing company 23andMe ME.O sent emails to several customers on Tuesday informing them of a breach in the “DNA Relatives” feature that allowed them to compare information about their ancestors with users around the world.
After a hacker announced millions of “data” stolen from 23andMe on an online forum this month, the company said it was working with federal law enforcement and forensic experts to investigate this matter.
In the new emails, a copy of which was seen by Archyde.com, 23andMe informs its customers that there has been a breach of one or more accounts connected to theirs through the “DNA Relatives” feature. This feature allows users around the world to connect and share their personal data, including relationship tags, ancestry reports and matching DNA segments, location, year of birth and child names. family, among others.
“There has been unauthorized access to one or more 23andMe accounts that were connected to you through DNA Relatives,” the company told customers in Tuesday’s email. “As a result, the DNA Relatives profile information you provided in this feature was exposed to the threat actor.”
23andMe offers DNA tests that allow users to learn more about their ancestors. Since news of the hack broke, many customers have expressed concerns that their ethnicity and other sensitive information could be used against them if leaked. Last week, a US lawmaker demanded more details about the leaks.
Several social media users said Tuesday they had received the email, but it was unclear how many customers were informed. 23andMe spokesperson Katie Watson declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation, and referred to the blog where the company said on Oct. 20 that it was temporarily disabling certain features of “DNA Relatives ” in order to protect the privacy of users.
Previously, the company said the hackers may have used credentials from other websites to access 23andMe accounts – a technique known as “credential stuffing.” She advised users to change their login details and enable two-factor authentication to avoid compromise.
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