23andMe, Inc.: Insufficient technical and organisational measures to ensure information security

The UK DPA imposed a fine of £ 2,310,000 (EUR 2,700,000) on 23andMe, Inc. The controller, a company offering DNA testing to private individuals, failed to implement sufficient technical and organizational measures to ensure data security, especially in regards to the sensitivity of the processed data. As a result, a cyberattack occurred, which led to a data breach affecting 155,592 UK-based users over the course of at least five months. The DPA considered the controller's failure to identify the attack earlier and its failure to adequately inform the DPA about the breach as aggravating factors.

GDPR Articles: Art. 5 (1) f) GDPR, Art. 32 GDPR
Industry: Health Care