23andMe Hack Targets Millions With Jewish Ancestry
A popular genetics testing company, 23andMe, was hacked by malicious actors who apparently targeted its Jewish clients. The company confirmed that troves of its data were compromised and the investigation into the source is now underway.
Breach Forums, a cybercrime marketplace, now reportedly holds data on millions who researched their ancestry through their DNA. Hackers on the site claim they have 1 million genetic data points “solely from Ashkenazi Jews.”
The hacker explained their motivation as rage against Israel and those who back its fight against Hamas terrorism.
Hundreds of thousands of people of Chinese origin were also apparently targeted in the security breach.
The hacker offered 23andMe profiles on the site for anywhere from $1 to $10 dollars. Many in the Jewish population are alarmed by the singling out of their DNA, particularly with the war between Israel and Hamas and the outpouring of leftist support for terrorists.
The biotech company provides testing services for a fee that reveal family history and even health details.
But on Tuesday, a hacker identified as “Golem” leaked ancestry information from roughly 4 million private records. The perpetrator claimed that they have data of many from the U.K. as well as “the wealthiest people living in the U.S. and Western Europe on this list.”
The source added that “there are samples from hundreds of families, including the royal family, Rothschilds, Rockefellers and more.”
Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Mail.
On Wednesday, another 140,000 pilfered genetic profiles from the tech company’s German clients were posted online. Golem once again rationalized the theft by citing hostility toward Israel and its defense against Hamas terrorism.
The thief accused German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of being a Zionist puppet. Golem said the release represented only one-third of the German profiles they had and that more would follow if Germany continued to back Tel Aviv.
Investigators are still attempting to determine how the data was stolen. Experts warn that giving a third party your genetic data carries an inherent risk that should be considered.
There are also concerns over possible hate crime implications from the massive breach.
