According to 23andMe, hackers obtained access to roughly 6.9 million people's data

The genetic testing business 23andMe revealed on Monday that hackers had access to roughly 6.9 million people's data—much more than the business had previously admitted.

The discovery is the outcome of an inquiry conducted by 23andMe, which was started in October in response to the publication of at least one online list of persons who the website classified as being of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

TechCrunch was first to report on the affected user count.

Reusing passwords allowed the hackers to access some customer accounts, according to a business representative. Then, the hackers managed to take advantage of some 23andMe features that provide users with a wealth of personal data about one another.