这财务困境基因测试和血统公司23andMe对顾客的安全提出了质疑脱氧核糖核酸和其他数据。
这个公司宣布的周一，该公司将裁员约40%，约200名员工，并关闭其药物开发部门，以削减成本。
23日星期二，我放其最新收益报告显示，上个季度收入下降12%，股价下跌。
过去几个月，该公司还面临着其他挑战，包括辞职在九月份董事会的七名独立董事中。
自2006年成立以来，23andMe已经销售了超过1200万套DNA试剂盒，这些试剂盒使用唾液样本提取DNA，然后进行分析，根据该公司的网站。
下面回答四个关于23andMe和用户数据的问题。
1.23andMe在挣扎中对顾客的基因数据说了些什么?
23andMe的一位发言人告诉ABC新闻，当周三被问及该公司的业务动荡可能会如何影响客户的个人数据时，该公司没有进一步的评论。
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这个公司州在其网站未经客户同意，它不会向第三方出售或共享客户的个人信息，不会自愿与执法部门共享数据，并且它为希望参与研究的客户提供了选择加入的选项。
2.23andMe收集的基因数据是否与健康记录一样受到保护?
No. 23andMe被认为是一家直接面向消费者的基因检测公司，与该公司的交易被视为商业交易，而非医疗交易。
因为23andMe不是医疗公司，所以客户的个人信息不受HIPAA隐私规则，为健康记录提供隐私保护。
3.23andMe以前有过数据泄露吗?
2023年，该公司有经验的一个大规模的安全漏洞暴露了近700万用户的数据。
23andMe当时表示，通过该公司的DNA亲属功能共享的客户资料信息在未经授权的情况下被访问。
该公司在10月份同意支付3000万美元的现金解决因数据泄露引起的集体诉讼，根据美联社。
违约事件发生后，该公司还说它要求每个客户重置密码，并开始要求所有客户使用两步验证登录。
4.消费者有什么办法吗?
作为一般规则，与任何直接面向消费者的基因检测公司共享其DNA的消费者应关注该公司多年来的情况，因为公司有权改变其隐私政策和商业做法。
包括23andMe在内的公司也有责任将变化通知消费者，并获得“消费者对其数据的任何新用途的明确同意”根据美国联邦贸易委员会，政府机构疏忽直接面向消费者的基因检测公司。
What 23andMe business troubles could mean for millions of users' genetic data
Thefinancial strugglesof genetic testing and ancestry company23andMeare raising questions about the security of customers'DNAand other data.
The companyannouncedMonday that it would lay off around 40% of its workforce -- about 200 employees -- and close its drug development arm in an attempt to cut costs.
On Tuesday, 23andMereleasedits latest earnings report, showing revenue dipped 12% in the last quarter and share prices fell.
The company has faced additional struggles over the past several months, including theresignationsin September of the seven independent directors of the board.
Since its founding in 2006, 23andMe has sold more than 12 million of its DNA kits, which use a saliva sample to extract DNA that is then analyzed,according tothe company's website.
Here are four questions answered about 23andMe and users' data.
1. What has 23andMe said about customers' genetic data amid its struggles?
A 23andMe spokesperson told ABC News the company had no further comment when asked Wednesday how the company's business turmoil may impact customers' personal data.
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The companystateson itswebsitethat it does not sell or share customer's personal information to third parties without the customer's consent, that it does not voluntarily share data with law enforcement, and that it provides an opt-in option for customers who want to participate in research.
2. Is the genetic data collected by 23andMe protected in the same way as health records?
No. 23andMe is considered a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company, and transactions with the company are considered commercial, not medical.
Because 23andMe is not a medical company, customers' personal information is not protected under theHIPAA Privacy Rule, which affords privacy protections to health records.
3. Has 23andMe had data breaches before?
In 2023, the companyexperienceda massive security breach that exposed the data of nearly 7 million users.
23andMe said at the time that customer profile information shared through the company's DNA Relatives feature had been accessed without authorization.
The company agreed in October to pay a $30 million cash settlement in a class-action lawsuit stemming from the data breach,according toThe Associated Press.
Following the breach, the company alsosaidit required every customer to reset their password and began requiring all customers to use two-step verification for login.
4. Is there anything consumers can do?
As a general rule, consumers who have shared their DNA with any direct-to-consumer genetic testing company should pay attention to the company over the years, as companies have the right to change their privacy policies and business practices.
Companies, 23andMe included, also have a responsibility to notify consumers of changes and get "consumers' affirmative express consent for any new uses of their data,"according tothe Federal Trade Commission, the government agency that conductsoversightof direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies.
