Share this @internewscast.com

Genetic testing company 23andMe said Monday that hackers were able to access the data of about 6.9 million people, far more than the company previously acknowledged.

The finding is the result of an investigation 23andMe launched in October, after at least one list was posted online of people whom the site identified as having Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry.

The number of users affected was first reported by TechCrunch.

A spokesperson for the company said the hackers gained access to some customer accounts through reused passwords. The hackers were then able to exploit some 23andMe features that give users significant information about each other.

Hackers used that first tactic, called credential stuffing, to first gain access to about 0.1% of 23andMe users’ accounts, the spokesperson said. From there, they looked for customers who had enrolled in a program called DNA Relatives, which loosens a user’s privacy restrictions.

DNA Relatives lets users who may be distantly related see significant user information about each other, including their ancestry, DNA information, ZIP code, birth year and family member names, among other information.

Through those tactics, the hackers were able to see profile information of about 6.9 million DNA Relatives users, nearly half of the roughly 14 million people who have enrolled in the program.

Despite the data theft, 23andMe does not expect a major financial fallout from the incident. In a Securities and Exchange Commission filing about the breach updated Saturday, the company said it only expects to lose between $1-$2 million in “onetime expenses related to the incident.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
California union proposes taxing billionaires to offset Medicaid cuts for low-income people

California Union Advocates for Tax on Billionaires to Counteract Medicaid Reductions for Low-Income Residents

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Thursday, a significant union proposed a one-time 5%…
Trump’s $230M DOJ settlement bid likely has few legal backstops

Trump’s $230M DOJ Settlement Proposal Faces Legal Hurdles, Experts Say

Former President Donald Trump is pursuing a substantial compensation claim, potentially amounting…
Chicago volunteers collecting food at El Pollo Cris Cris on SW Side for those in need amid high prices, looming SNAP benefits halt

Local Volunteers Rally at El Pollo Cris Cris to Support Families Facing Rising Costs and SNAP Uncertainty

CHICAGO — As inflation continues to push prices skyward, many families are…
Can AI keep students motivated, or does it do the opposite?

Unleashing AI in Education: Boosting Student Motivation or Creating New Challenges?

Imagine a student utilizing a writing assistant powered by generative AI technology.…
One hospitalized after suspected shooting at Austin public library prompting massive police response

Suspected Shooting at Austin Library Triggers Major Police Response, One Person Hospitalized

A serious incident unfolded at the Austin Central Library in Texas on…
Family matriarch dies day after rescue from remote island that saw family swim ashore to escape boat fire

Tragic Turn: Family Matriarch Passes Away After Dramatic Rescue from Remote Island Following Boat Fire

A day after being rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, a woman…
More than 2 million pounds of barbecue pork jerky recalled over metal contamination

Urgent Recall: Over 2 Million Pounds of BBQ Pork Jerky Pulled from Shelves Due to Metal Contamination

Consumers are advised to dispose of the recalled jerky or return it…
NATO fighter jets scrambled after Russian planes allegedly violate airspace

NATO Jets Respond to Suspected Russian Airspace Breach

Two Spanish fighter jets on NATO air policing duties were dispatched after…
Nelly Furtado stepping away from performing for 'the foreseeable future'

Nelly Furtado Announces Hiatus from the Stage: What’s Next for the Pop Star?

More than a year after unveiling her seventh studio album “7,” Nelly…
Exclusive -- Trump-Endorsed Massie Challenger Ed Gallrein: Massie 'Not a Statesman'

Trump-Backed Ed Gallrein Criticizes Incumbent Massie, Labels Him as Lacking Statesmanship

During a recent appearance on News Saturday, Ed Gallrein, a seasoned farmer…
Slain motorcyclist’s sweetheart says $50K bail for murder suspect with criminal record left her ‘hopeless’

Motorcyclist’s Partner Expresses Dismay Over $50K Bail for Murder Suspect With Previous Criminal Record

The bereaved partner of a motorcyclist who lost his life in Washington…
ICE, CBP seize 400 firearms hidden in fake trailer walls at southern border crossing

ICE and CBP Uncover 400 Firearms Concealed in False Trailer Walls at Southern Border Checkpoint

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: In Laredo, Texas, a father and son have been…