Public Citizen has sent a letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, urging him to investigate the transfer of 23andMe’s extensive genetic database to the TTAM Research Institute, a newly established nonprofit. The organization warns that this transaction may breach California’s Genetic Information Privacy Act (GIPA).
The acquisition, valued at $305 million and approved in bankruptcy court, was led by 23andMe’s former CEO Anne Wojcicki. Public Citizen expresses concern that this move could undermine the rights of millions of Californians regarding control over their DNA data.
J.B. Branch, a Big Tech Accountability Advocate at Public Citizen, criticized the data transfer, calling it a significant privacy violation that disregards user consent. He pointed out that the same leadership responsible for 23andMe’s corporate challenges is now attempting to reclaim sensitive data by rebranding as a nonprofit.
The letter emphasizes that GIPA requires companies to obtain explicit re-consent from users before transferring genetic data. Branch highlighted that silence or past agreements do not equate to consent, particularly for something as personal as genetic information. He urged the Attorney General to intervene, emphasizing the need to protect individuals’ genetic autonomy.
Public Citizen’s call to action includes:
- An immediate investigation into the acquisition by TTAM Research Institute and related consumer protection issues.
- Continued support for GIPA’s principle that affirmative re-consent is necessary for genetic data transfers involving California consumers.
