Delete 23andMe Data: A Step-by-Step Guide
- DNA testing firm 23andMe,grappling with recent turmoil,is prompting concern among its 15 million customers.
- The bankruptcy sparked worries within the genetic testing sector and among privacy advocates.
- Adding to the complexity, over two dozen states have filed lawsuits challenging the potential sale of customer data.
Protecting Your data: How to Delete Your 23andMe Details
Updated June 15,2025
DNA testing firm 23andMe,grappling with recent turmoil,is prompting concern among its 15 million customers. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March and was recently reacquired by co-founder Anne Wojcicki thru her TTAM Research Institute for $305 million.
The bankruptcy sparked worries within the genetic testing sector and among privacy advocates. Security experts and lawmakers urged customers to secure their personal data.about 1.9 million 23andMe customers,roughly 15% of their user base,have requested data deletion,according to the company’s interim CEO.
Adding to the complexity, over two dozen states have filed lawsuits challenging the potential sale of customer data. These states argue 23andMe needs explicit consent before transferring or selling personal information.
While complete data removal isn’t possible due to existing research partnerships and backup systems, 23andMe customers can still take steps to minimize their data exposure.
Deleting Your 23andMe Data: A Step-by-Step Guide
To initiate data deletion, follow these steps after logging into your 23andMe account:
- Go to the Settings section.
- Find the 23andMe Data option.
- Click View, then scroll to Delete Data.
- Select Permanently Delete Data.
Afterward, 23andMe will send a confirmation link via email.
Users can download their data before deleting it.
However, 23andMe’s privacy policy states the company retains genetic information, date of birth, and sex to comply with legal obligations.
The policy also notes that 23andMe will keep limited account information, deletion request identifiers, and communications related to inquiries for legal, contractual, audit, and compliance purposes.
This means 23andMe may retain some user information indefinitely.
Revoking research Consent and Destroying Samples
Users who previously consented to saliva sample and DNA storage can change this setting via the preferences section of their account settings.
Consent for research use can be withdrawn in the Research and Product Consents section. While consent can be reversed, previously shared data cannot be deleted.
Check In With Family
Encourage family members to delete their data as well, as their DNA is also at risk.Friends should also be encouraged to protect their data.