Lead Data Product Manager

Canadians can now claim up to $2,500 in 23andMe class-action settlement. Mar 27 2026, 8:39 am Canadians who used 23andMe to learn about their family ancestry could have money coming their way due to a class-action settlement. Eligible Canadians could soon get a payout from the years-long data breach class-action lawsuit against 23andMe, a U.S.-based personal genomics company. On Friday, Canadian law firm KND Complex Litigation published a notice alerting affected Canadians that they now have until June 25 to claim part of a settlement worth US$3.25 million (around C$4.5 million). The lawsuit. In October 2023, 23andMe revealed that a data breach exposed the personal information of customers, which appeared for sale on the dark web. The DNA testing company said that hackers accessed data of nearly 6.9 million users. KND Complex Litigation launched a class-action lawsuit against 23andMe Holding Co. and 23andMe, Inc., on behalf of Canadian customers, alleging that the company failed to protect its customers' highly sensitive and valuable personal data. "The action alleges that contrary to their promises, statements and representations, as well as the privacy regulation and industry standards applicable to them, the defendants did not introduce, implement or maintain proper or adequate data retention and data protection practices," reads the lawsuit. The lawsuit further alleges the company violated its own standards and that the breach was the result of careless and reckless handling of highly sensitive customer data. In September 2025, both parties agreed on a US$3.25 million (around C$4.5 million) settlement, which would also cover legal fees, expenses, and applicable taxes. Are you eligible? If you're a Canadian who used 23andMe, you could be eligible to claim part of the settlement. To qualify, you need to be a Canadian resident and a 23andMe customer between May 1, 2023, and Oct. 1, 2023, which was the time of the cybersecurity incident. You can also file a claim if you received a notice from the company alerting customers that their personal information was compromised. The settlement only covers customers who didn't opt out of the class-action settlement. How much can you receive? If you meet the eligibility requirements, you could be compensated through two types of claims. The first one is the eligible extraordinary claims. If you have documentation to prove that you incurred out-of-pocket expenses between Oct. 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, due to the security breach, you can receive up to C$2,500. Associated costs can include any purchase of a physical security or monitoring system, seeking professional mental health counselling or treatment, or other related expenses. The second is the eligible extraordinary claims, which are a pro-rated share. You can file a claim without providing additional information or documentation. According to the claims website, payments will be made in Canadian dollars. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you'll instantly be considered for compensation as long as you fill out a claims form. How can you file a claim? Canadian 23andMe customers who meet the eligibility criteria should fill out a claim form, which can be submitted by mail, email, fax, or through the claims website. The deadline to file a claim is June 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. You'll need to provide your personal details, contact information, the type of claim that you qualify for, supporting documents if required, and the method of payment you prefer. With files from Isabelle Docto

23andMe introduces Reconstructed Ancestors a first-of-its-kind DNA discovery tool. Reconstructed Ancestors sets a new industry standard to help reveal deeper family connections and fill gaps in a family tree with greater precision. PALO ALTO, Calif., March 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - 23andMe, a leading consumer genetics and research organization and nonprofit affiliate of the 23andMe Research Institute, today announced the launch of a powerful suite of new advanced ancestry features. The features, including the groundbreaking Reconstructed Ancestors and the highly anticipated DNA Relatives Clustering, are designed to help subscribers delve deeper into their family stories than ever before. Completing the suite is a relaunch of Advanced DNA Comparison which has been rebuilt to offer genetic enthusiasts unparalleled control and precision for exploring shared DNA segments. This collection of features underscores 23andMe's commitment to providing innovative, subscriber-exclusive tools that turn genetic data into meaningful personal discoveries. Meet Your Reconstructed Ancestors: Bridging the Gaps in Your Family Tree Reconstructed Ancestors is the first and only feature of its kind, using your DNA and the DNA of close relatives in your family tree who have tested, to predict the ancestry composition of your parents, grandparents and eventually more distant ancestors who have not tested. "Our history is written in our shared DNA, and it persists even when records have been lost to time," said Robin Smith, Head of Product at 23andMe. "With Reconstructed Ancestors, we are rebuilding the genetic legacy of those who came before us in a living, community-driven system. Every new connection made by a relative when they join our DNA Relatives feature helps bridge a gap for someone else. The more our community grows, the clearer the picture of our common ancestors becomes for everyone." * The GRAMPA Algorithm: The key element of this feature is the proprietary GRAMPA algorithm (Genotype Reconstruction and Ancestral Mixture Proportions in Ancestors). It uses overlapping DNA segments, scattered across hundreds or even thousands of your genotyped relatives, to piece together the genome of a shared ancestor. * The Ancestor's Profile: Customers can see what percentage of their DNA is inherited from that ancestor, explore their likely ancestry, and begin to imagine who they might have been. * A Living System: The profile is unique and dynamic. The more relatives who test and are added to a person's family tree, the clearer and more complete the picture of that ancestor becomes. You can read more about the Reconstructed Ancestors feature on our blog. DNA Relatives Clustering: Your DNA Matches Sorted and Organized Automatically Also debuting for subscribers is DNA Relatives Clustering, an intuitive tool that utilizes smart clustering to automatically organize a customer's DNA Relatives into visual groups based on shared genetic connections. * Seamless Organization: Instead of manually sorting through a list of names, this feature generates a "map" that clusters relatives into specific family branches, making it easier to distinguish your maternal side from your paternal side, or to zero in on descendants of a specific great-grandparent line. * Next-Level Genealogy: Inspired by traditional genealogical methods, the tool uses a novel 23andMe algorithm to do the heavy lifting, allowing users to effortlessly track down shared ancestors and visualize their family's genetic connections. Enhanced Tools for the Advanced Explorer Rounding out this suite of advanced ancestry features, 23andMe is excited to relaunch our chromosome browser, the Advanced DNA Comparison tool. Rebuilt and powered by our proprietary HybridIBD(TM)(Identity-by-Descent) algorithm, the tool gives users unprecedented precision in exploring their genetic connections. Unlike DNA Relatives, which simply indicates a relationship, Advanced DNA Comparison shows exactly where shared DNA segments exist in the genome, enabling users to map connections with accuracy and confirm hypotheses. Whether uncovering ancestral links, expanding a family tree, or exploring new matches, this updated tool provides genetic enthusiasts the clarity and control to see their shared DNA like never before. Read more about Advanced DNA Comparison on our blog. Reconstructed Ancestors, Advanced DNA Comparison, and DNA Relatives Clustering are available now for 23andMe+ Premium(TM) and Total Health(TM) subscribers. About 23andMe 23andMe is a nonprofit affiliate of the 23andMe Research Institute, a new nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that enables people to access their genetic information, learn about themselves, and contribute to large-scale research for the public good. Individuals can explore their ancestry, trace family connections, and gain insights into how genetics may influence their health through 23andMe DNA kits and reports. By combining personal genetic insights with aggregated research, the 23andMe Research Institute will advance our collective understanding of ancestry, population history, and human health, improving knowledge and health outcomes for all.