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Class Action Advances Over Unauthorized Access to Genetic Data

Class Action Advances Over Unauthorized Access to Genetic Data

First seen 4 Oct 2026, 04:08 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •October 4, 2026 at 06:06 UTC
  • •Federal judge allows class action lawsuit against Verogen and Qiagen over DNA privacy violations.
  • •Claims include unauthorized access by law enforcement and data tracking by Meta.
  • •Plaintiffs can proceed with claims related to a loophole in GEDmatch's privacy settings.

A federal judge has allowed a class action lawsuit to proceed against Verogen Inc. and Qiagen NV, concerning unauthorized access to users' DNA profiles on GEDmatch.com. The lawsuit claims that the platform's PRO version contained a technical loophole that enabled law enforcement to bypass user privacy settings, allowing access to profiles of users who opted out. The judge also ruled that claims regarding Meta's tracking pixel, which allegedly captured user data and transmitted it to Meta, can move forward but only for users who uploaded DNA after the pixel's implementation in 2020. The lawsuit highlights significant privacy concerns regarding genetic data and its use by third parties without user consent.

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Timeline

2020-01-01
Meta tracking pixel implemented
Verogen allegedly installed a tracking pixel on GEDmatch.com to capture user activity data.
Courthouse News
2023-01-01
Qiagen acquires GEDmatch.com
Qiagen NV completed the acquisition of GEDmatch.com, a genealogical research site.
Pogowasright
2026-10-03
Judge rules on class action lawsuit
U.S. District Judge James Simmons Jr. allows portions of the class action to proceed, addressing privacy concerns.
Pogowasright

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Common questions

What are the main claims in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit claims unauthorized access to DNA profiles by law enforcement and data tracking by Meta.
Who can proceed with claims against Verogen?
Plaintiffs can proceed with claims related to users who opted out of data sharing but were still accessed.
What is the current status of the legal proceedings?
The class action lawsuit is moving forward as portions of it have been allowed by the judge.