BATON ROUGE — Louisiana will receive $258,668 as part of a court-approved settlement tied to a 2023 data breach at genetic testing company 23andMe, Attorney General Liz Murrill announced Wednesday. The agreement is part of a broader bankruptcy resolution that includes a $46.75 million class-action settlement and a capped allowance of $150 million for states’ claims.
What the settlement covers
The payout stems from allegations that 23andMe exposed customers’ genetic information during a breach that affected 6.9 million users worldwide. In the bankruptcy process, the company agreed to funds intended to compensate harmed consumers and to recognize states’ claims for harm to residents.
Murrill’s office reported that 68,814 of those affected — roughly 1% of the total — are from Louisiana. Because the bankruptcy estate must satisfy multiple claims and the total available for states is limited, the recovery for states was reduced, leaving Louisiana with the $258,668 share.
"Louisianans should never have to worry that their personal information and genetic data will be exposed because a company failed to protect it," Murrill said, adding that companies that collect and profit from sensitive personal information must safeguard it and will be held accountable when they fail.
State action and broader participation
Louisiana joined a coalition of 42 states, plus the District of Columbia, in pursuing legal action against 23andMe over the company's handling of the incident. Attorneys general from across the country alleged failures in privacy protections and disputed the company’s initial denials and later statements blaming user account setup or password practices.
- Settlement total for consumers: $46.75 million (class-action reserve)
- Allowed states’ claims: $150 million (capped recovery limited by available estate funds)
- Louisiana’s share: $258,668
- Louisiana customers affected: 68,814
What this means for residents
The settlement provides limited financial recovery for consumers who submitted claims by the Feb. 17, 2026 deadline. Residents who believe they were affected and filed claims will be covered under the terms set in the bankruptcy settlement. Those who did not file by the deadline may not be eligible for payments tied to this agreement.
Beyond the immediate payout, the case underscores growing scrutiny of companies that handle sensitive biological and personal data. State-level enforcement actions like this one reflect a broader push by attorneys general nationwide to hold technology and consumer genetics firms to higher data-security standards.
| Item | Amount / Figure |
|---|---|
| Customers affected globally | 6.9 million |
| Louisiana customers affected | 68,814 |
| Class-action settlement | $46.75 million |
| Allowed claims for states | $150 million (limited) |
| Louisiana recovery | $258,668 |
Attorney general offices across the country have increasingly targeted firms whose data failures expose large groups of consumers. For Louisiana residents, the payout is modest, but the enforcement action may influence company behavior and future regulatory or legislative efforts in the state to strengthen protections for genetic and other sensitive personal data.
