Dozens of states sue to block the sale of 23andMe personal genetic data
NPR Online News2 days
States Sue to Block 23andMe DNA Data Sale Without Consent
Above: 23andMe headquarters in Sunnyvale, California. Image copyright: Justin Sullivan/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
These states are taking a crucial stand for consumer privacy rights in the digital age. DNA data is fundamentally different from ordinary commercial information — it's permanent, immutable, and affects current customers and their relatives for future generations. It's right to demand explicit consent before any transfer.
Narrative B
Regeneron has committed to honoring all existing privacy agreements and maintaining robust security protections for customer data. This acquisition could actually strengthen data security by placing genetic information under the control of an established pharmaceutical company with proven compliance capabilities.