JUNEAU — Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor has announced a privacy-focused settlement with TTAM, the nonprofit poised to take over most of 23andMe’s assets, including sensitive customer data, as part of a federal bankruptcy proceeding in Missouri.
The settlement secures enhanced privacy protections for Alaskans beyond those granted to customers in other states.
“I’m pleased that my office’s aggressive approach to protecting Alaskans’ privacy paid off,” Taylor said. “But I know there are a lot of people out there who don’t realize that the samples and data they gave to 23andMe could soon be controlled by a different entity.”
Under the agreement, only Alaskans who explicitly consented to share their genetic information or have their DNA samples “biobanked” will have that information accessible to TTAM. Those who did not opt in will retain control over their data, which cannot be shared unless they provide new consent.
Alaskans who previously consented to data use or sample storage can still request that their information be deleted and samples destroyed through their 23andMe account settings. The transfer of company assets and data control could take place as early as July 7 at 8:59 p.m. Alaska time.
Importantly, TTAM has agreed to permanently allow former 23andMe customers to delete their data, even after the transfer is complete.
For Alaskans who did not provide additional consents, their data will either be deleted upon request or automatically removed after twelve months.
Additionally, customers who believe they have a claim against 23andMe—particularly related to the company’s 2023 data breach—must file a proof of claim by July 14 at 4:59 p.m. Central Time to be eligible for potential relief. Forms are available online and may be submitted electronically or by mail.
Alaska-specific terms of the settlement are outlined in the final pages of the federal court’s bankruptcy order.
