In an email sent to customers earlier this week viewed by Engadget, the company announced that it had made updates to the “Dispute Resolution and Arbitration section” of its terms of service that would prevent customers from filing class action lawsuits.
  • jimmydoreisalefty@lemmy.world
    01·
    10 months ago

    Edit: added Axios link, removed double quote for Axios paragraphs

    Forbidding people from filing class action lawsuit, as Axios notes, hides information about the proceedings from the public since affected parties typically attempt to resolve disputes with arbitrators in private. Experts, such as Chicago-Kent College of Law professor Nancy Kim, an online contractor expert, told Axios that changing its terms wouldn’t be enough to protect 23andMe in court.

    https://www.axios.com/2023/12/07/23andme-terms-of-service-update-data-breach

    The company did not publicly reveal the full extent of the breach until around two months after it occurred.

    The latest: At least two law firms are pursuing a class action against 23andMe.

    Canada-based law firms YLaw and KND Complex Litigation have proposed a class-action lawsuit against the company in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.

    Of note: In emails notifying customers of the terms of service change, the company has said people are able to opt out if they email “legal@23andme.com” within 30 days of receiving the notice.

    However, the updated terms of service requires customers to email a different address, “arbitrationoptout@23andme.com.”

      • jimmydoreisalefty@lemmy.world
        01·
        10 months ago

        True!

        Reminds me of other industries that have immunity against being sued in court.

        Companies also try to make it seem for the workers, if you sue company, that they have to be handled internally (scare tatic?).

        • squiblet@kbin.social
          0·
          10 months ago

          The latter would be an arbitration agreement, and unfortunately I think they’re enforceable. They make you sign an contract waiving your rights and agreeing to arbitration.