Latest news with #UtahDivisionofConsumerProtection
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah Attorney General joins 23andMe lawsuit objecting sale of private genetic data
Related video: 'Utah experts weigh in on sensitivity of DNA data after 23andMe files for bankruptcy' SALT LAKE CITY () — The Utah Attorney General has joined other states in filing a lawsuit that could prevent 23andMe from selling their genetic data following bankruptcy earlier this year. Utah Attorney General Derek Brown has joined a 'bipartisan coalition' of 27 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against 23andMe, according to a press release from the Utah Attorney General's Office. According to the lawsuit, the company has collected Genotype Data from roughly 15 million people. Earlier this year, in March, , and their CEO stepped down. The company went up for sale, causing many about private data that was maintained by the genetic profiling company. The Utah Attorney General's Office recommended that Utahns before the sale. It reminded Utahns of their rights under the Utah Consumer Privacy and the Genetic Information Privacy Acts. How to protect (and delete) your DNA data after 23andMe bankruptcy filing The goal of this lawsuit is to 'prevent the company from selling Utahns' private genetic information to another company without their express consent,' the press release states. The company is reportedly planning to sell the genetic information it gathered through home DNA collection kits. 'Utahns entrusted 23andMe with their most personal genetic information, under the promise of privacy and protection. The company's intent to sell this data to the highest bidder is an egregious betrayal of that trust and will not be tolerated,' Katie Hass, Director of the Utah Division of Consumer Protection, is quoted in the release. 'Every consumer should have the right to decide how this intimate, personal, and unique data is handled going forward.' The lawsuit argues that genetic information is 'immutable,' meaning that if it is 'stolen or misused, it cannot be replaced.' Consumers who have their genetic data used by a company they do not trust have no way to protect themselves or change that information. 'The States respectfully request that the Court (a) enter a declaratory judgment as to the issues set forth… prior to any sale; (b) and enter any further relief to which the Court finds is just,' the lawsuit concludes. The other attorneys general joining the lawsuit are from the following states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Farmington Bay volunteer honored with 'Birder of the Year' nomination after more than 20 years of service Utah Attorney General joins 23andMe lawsuit objecting sale of private genetic data Mountain View Corridor closing to all pass-through traffic for five weeks BMW's new flagship SUV to debut in US Los Angeles-area mayors demand that Trump administration stop stepped-up immigration raids Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Cox declares ‘Declutter Day' in Utah — Here's how you can dispose of sensitive documents
SALT LAKE CITY () — The Utah Division of Consumer Protection and Gov. Spencer J. Cox declared April 18, 2025, as the official Declutter Day in Utah. The division is hosting a community event, along with the University of Utah's Sustainability Office, on Friday, April 18, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the University of Utah Guardsman Lot. It will offer Utahns a way to safely dispose of sensitive documents and electronics to reduce the risk of identity theft and fraud. Utahns can shred documents with private or personally identifiable information, including bank statements, tax records, and medical bills. In addition, participants can safely dispose of e-waste, such as hard drives, computers, and cell phones. There will also be medication disposal services and an area to donate household items and clothing. According to a press release, reports of identity theft in Utah to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have been declining since 2020, however, the agency still received over 5,000 reports of identity theft in 2024. Safely disposing of sensitive information can help protect people against this crime. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Judge denies TikTok's request to dismiss Utah's case alleging sexual exploitation of children
A judge on Friday denied TikTok's request to dismiss a case filed by Utah over allegations the company knowingly profits off child sexual exploitation. In the lawsuit, Utah Division of Consumer Protection vs. TikTok, filed in June 2024, the state alleges TikTok is aware its livestream feature allows young users to be sexually exploited, with the allegations based on internal studies and admissions by employees. 'TikTok's design tactics encourage and allow it to profit from crime and the sexual exploitation of children,' the suit states. 'These deceptive and unconscionable practices violate Utah's Consumer Sales Practices Act and harm Utah's consumers.' TikTok tried to get the case dismissed, but on Friday, 3rd District Court Judge Coral Sanchez denied the request. 'Protecting Utah children from exploitation and the harms that TikTok knowingly inflicts upon them is one of my highest priorities as attorney general,' Utah Attorney General Derek Brown said in a press release, responding to news of the dismissal. 'I am grateful for the court's decision that allows Utah's lawsuit against TikTok to move forward, helping us protect young people from sexual exploitation. This decision will help me in my fight to protect and defend Utah children.' About the case, a TikTok spokesperson previously said, 'TikTok has industry-leading policies and measures to help protect the safety and well-being of teens. Creators must be at least 18 years old before they can go LIVE, and their account must meet a follower requirement. We immediately revoke access to features if we find accounts that do not meet our age requirements.' Over the past few years, attorneys general across the country have tried to address safety concerns associated with children and teens using social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. In a joint letter signed and sent in 2022 by 44 AGs to the two online platforms, the attorneys warned of 'online dangers including cyberbullying, drug use and sexual predation' that children are allegedly subjected to while using the apps. Utah filed its first lawsuit against TikTok in October 2023. In that consumer protection suit, the state alleged TikTok was aware its social media app was addictive via features such as the algorithm and push notifications. About that suit, a TikTok spokesperson previously said, 'TikTok has industry-leading safeguards for young people, including an automatic 60-minute time limit for users under 18 and parental controls for teen accounts. We will continue to work to keep our community safe by tackling industry-wide challenges.'
