US Says 23andMe Deal Could Prompt National Security Review

The US Justice Department said Thursday it may review a potential sale of 23andMe users’ genetic data for potential national security risks, an action that the company had previously anticipated and said it was prepared to accept.

23andMe is restricted from selling genomic information to firms that are 50% or more owned by companies headquartered in a handful of countries including China, Russia and North Korea, U.S. Attorney Sayler Fleming said in a court filing. Businesses are also restricted from obtaining investments from people who live primarily in those countries, Fleming said.

Thursday’s notice does not ask US Bankruptcy Judge ...