Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that he has filed suit against 23andMe, a California-based DNA testing company, over its plan to sell customers’ genetic information.
After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year, 23andMe sought to include in the sale of its holdings the genetic, health, and other personal information of its customers, including Texans.
Texas law prohibits the sale of genetic data without the explicit consent of the individual.
“Texas’s strong data privacy laws grant consumers property rights to their genetic information and require companies to obtain user consent before sharing any of this highly confidential data,” said Paxton. “Genetic testing companies have access to massive amounts of critically sensitive personal information, and I will fight to ensure that businesses follow the law and secure Texans’ personal data.”
Paxton is also arguing in the case, the first of its kind, that Texans have private property rights over their own individual genetic information.
Besides Texas, 26 other states and the District of Columbia have also filed suit against the company over its plans to sell customers’ personal genetic information.
In his announcement, Paxton reminded Texans they have the right to request that 23andMe delete their personal genetic information from its databases. Individuals can also request that their genetic samples and results be destroyed.
Texas residents can file a complaint with the attorney general’s office if there are any further concerns about 23andMe, if they encounter difficulties exercising their rights, or are not receiving a response from the company.
