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The article is terrible. What are commenters even discussing without having additional context? The hackers initially got access to around 14,000 accounts u

The article is terrible. What are commenters even discussing without having additional context? The hackers initially got access to around 14,000 accounts using previously compromised login credentials, but they then used a feature of 23andMe to gain access to almost half of the company's user base, or about 7 million accounts, the company previously told Business Insider. This is the only actual 'information' in the article. The rest is just finger pointing. But what does this mean? What feature? Does 'gain access' here mean all the data you would have as if you logged in as that user? How does 14K become 7M? Is it that case that an average user has access to the data of 500 other users on website? (7M/14K)

padjo 3y ago
Business insider is a trash publication. I wouldn’t waste my time reading it. Their content is always some combination of over stated, inaccurate or flat out made up.
whiddershins 3y ago
True, and that 500 number is way too low because that calculation imagines there is zero overlap/duplication.
lefixx 3y ago
Sounds like the hackers used recycled logins to gain access to 14000 accounts and then for each account gained info about other related accounts. I can see how you can get 14000 compromised accounts even though it sounds too much to me. Cant see how you can get info to so many related accounts. a 1 to 500 ratio. But if it is true then there is a little blame for the costumers too.
tzs 3y ago
> What feature? If you opt in to finding DNA relatives then you essentially get a list of all your DNA relatives on 23andMe that have also opted in. DNA relative seems to be people who are 4th cousins or closer to you. For each you get a name and an approximate location. > Does 'gain access' here mean all the data you would have as if you logged in as that user? Yes. > How does 14K become 7M? Is it that case that an average user has access to the data of 500 other users on website? (7M/14K) Data point: I have opted in. My DNA relatives list has just over 1500 other people on it.
- avsteele 3y ago
  Thank you!

padjo 3y ago

Business insider is a trash publication. I wouldn’t waste my time reading it. Their content is always some combination of over stated, inaccurate or flat out made up.

whiddershins 3y ago

True, and that 500 number is way too low because that calculation imagines there is zero overlap/duplication.

lefixx 3y ago

Sounds like the hackers used recycled logins to gain access to 14000 accounts and then for each account gained info about other related accounts. I can see how you can get 14000 compromised accounts even though it sounds too much to me. Cant see how you can get info to so many related accounts. a 1 to 500 ratio. But if it is true then there is a little blame for the costumers too.

tzs 3y ago

> What feature? If you opt in to finding DNA relatives then you essentially get a list of all your DNA relatives on 23andMe that have also opted in. DNA relative seems to be people who are 4th cousins or closer to you. For each you get a name and an approximate location. > Does 'gain access' here mean all the data you would have as if you logged in as that user? Yes. > How does 14K become 7M? Is it that case that an average user has access to the data of 500 other users on website? (7M/14K) Data point: I have opted in. My DNA relatives list has just over 1500 other people on it.

avsteele 3y ago
Thank you!