23andMe Agrees to Back a Privacy Advocate for Customer DNA Data

Bankrupt DNA testing firm 23andMe agreed to support a court-approved data privacy ombudsman who would review the sale of customer’s genetic data as part of the company’s bankruptcy.

The decision is a victory for federal and state officials, who argued customers would be better protected by a privacy advocate appointed instead of the “data representative” that 23andMe had offered to hire. US Bankruptcy Judge Brian Walsh authorized the advocate, whose primary job will be to file a report on whether a sale of genetic data complies with federal law and is in the interest of customers.