Delete Your 23andMe Data: A Quick Guide
Introduction
23andMe is a leading genetic testing company with millions of users. People sign up to explore ancestry, discover inherited traits, and learn about health risks. These perks might feel exciting, but 23andMe customers face new privacy concerns. Financial uncertainty can raise questions about who might be gaining access to your genetic information.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has alerted the public about protecting genetic data. He warns that if a data breach occurs or new owners get user data, your 23andMe account could be at risk. This user information includes genetic details, birth dates, email addresses, and more. To stay in control, you may decide it’s time to learn how to delete your 23andMe data.
In this guide, we will explain why privacy is important. We will show you how to scroll to the bottom of your settings to remove your profile. We will also tell you what to expect after you ask for deletion.
Why Privacy Concerns Matter
23andMe gathers large volumes of customer data, including sensitive DNA markers. Genetic information included in your reports can reveal health risks or family connections. While some users are comfortable sharing these insights, others worry about future misuse.
If a hacker orchestrates a data breach, criminals might link your DNA profile to your name, address, or email addresses. They could sell that user data for profit or use it to target your accounts. If the company changes ownership, new owners could manage your genetic records in ways you did not agree to.
DNA testing companies, like 23andMe, must respect your rights. When your data includes genetic factors, insurance discrimination, identity theft, or other harmful practices can become more likely. If you feel these risks outweigh the benefits, you may decide it’s best to delete 23andMe data and remove your profile.
Preparations Before Account Deletion
Download Your Key Files
Before you scroll to delete your 23andMe account, sign in and visit Account Settings. Scroll to the bottom to find the 23andMe Data section. Click View to see options for downloading user information. This step is vital for obtaining a backup of your raw DNA file, ancestry details, or health reports.
After you complete the account deletion, you lose account access. Make sure you keep whatever genetic information included in your profile if you still need it. Some people transfer these files to other DNA testing companies. Review their privacy policies carefully before uploading your data anywhere else.
Check for Research Consents
23andMe often invites users to share genetic data for scientific research. If you consented, your personal details might already appear in ongoing studies.
Deleting your 23andMe account stops new projects from using your data. However, past research sets may keep anonymized information. You cannot usually remove data from completed studies, but you can prevent future usage by completing the deletion process.
Understand Your Legal Obligation Impact
When you request the deletion, 23andMe should remove your primary records from active systems. Yet the company might store small amounts of customer data to meet legal obligation requirements. They might note that you requested deletion or preserve minimal facts about your date of birth for regulatory records. This practice is common for compliance, but your main DNA records should vanish from regular databases.
How to Delete Your 23andMe Data
Log In to Your 23andMe Account
Go to the 23andMe website. Enter your email addresses and password. If you have trouble, use the site’s reset feature or check for a phone number in the help center. Sometimes, users lock themselves out and must contact support to regain access to their accounts.
Open Account Settings
After you sign in, click on your profile picture or name. Choose Account Settings from the drop-down menu. You’ll see pages where you can update personal details, manage memberships, and handle user data preferences.
Scroll to the Bottom
Within Account Settings, scroll to the bottom until you spot 23andMe Data. Click View. If you haven’t already saved your DNA reports, do so here. Once you finalize deletion, you can’t retrieve them again.
Request the Deletion
Look for a button that says “Delete Data” or “Permanently Delete Data.” This is how to delete your 23andMe data. Click the button, and 23andMe will send an email for confirmation.
Double-check your inbox (and spam folder) for this message. If you don’t get it, contact support.
Confirm Through Email
Open the email and follow its link to complete the process. This final step ensures that no one else can delete your 23andMe account without your permission. After you click the confirmation link, we will begin to remove your genetic information. We will also delete your user data from 23andMe’s systems.
After You Scroll to Delete Your 23andMe Account
Immediate Loss of Access
Once you confirm, you lose account access. Your reports, ancestry breakdowns, and DNA relative matches become inaccessible. If you didn’t save your data first, you can’t retrieve it anymore.
Minimal Fields Retained
23andMe typically keeps basic customer data to meet legal obligations. This might be proof that you requested deletion, your birth date, or billing details. You should remove the detailed genetic information in your reports from daily databases. This will reduce the chance of exposure in a data breach.
Research Data
If you opted into research, 23andMe may already have used your data for scientific projects. Your anonymized record might remain in older research sets.
Deleting your account stops new studies from using it. However, it usually does not remove data from past analyses. Still, anonymized records rarely contain your name or direct identifiers.
Data Breach Risks and Ownership Changes
Many 23andMe customers worry about the company’s uncertain future. If new owners inherit user data, they might adopt different policies for handling your genetic information. A potential data breach could also happen under new management. Hackers might exploit vulnerabilities to obtain personal details, including genetic markers, birth dates, and addresses.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta has emphasized that any genetic testing company must prioritize user privacy. The risk of a data breach or unauthorized usage is especially significant when the service includes genetic data. Some 23andMe customers decide to request the deletion rather than wait to see what happens next.
Common Questions
Is There a Phone Number for Quick Deletion?
23andMe rarely deletes accounts by phone. They rely on the online process and email confirmations. If you have trouble receiving your verification link or face login issues, open a support ticket. Keep screenshots of any errors and share them with the support team.
Can I Use Getty Images for a Tutorial?
Yes. To create a step-by-step post on deleting your 23andMe data, you can use stock photos. You can find these on Getty Images or other platforms. Focus on the important steps: sign in, go to Account Settings, scroll to the bottom, and request data deletion.
Do I Absolutely Need to Delete 23andMe Data?
Some users are comfortable leaving their data in 23andMe’s system, benefiting from ancestry maps and health reports. Others find the potential for data misuse, ownership changes, or privacy concerns too great. The decision depends on your comfort level with risk and how much you value the insights 23andMe offers.
Conclusion
If you worry about how others use your genetic information, you can delete your 23andMe account to gain peace of mind. You remove your active profile, reduce the chance of data exposure in a breach, and stop new studies from using your DNA records.
Remember these steps:
・Download any data you want to save.
・Sign in and select Account Settings.
・Scroll to the bottom to find the delete button.
・Request the deletion and confirm by email.
After you take these steps, you will no longer have access to your account. 23andMe will delete your main genetic data from its servers. Some user data may remain for legal reasons. However, you have made great progress in protecting your personal information.
Final Tip: If you know other 23andMe customers who share these privacy concerns, pass along this guide. Show them how to scroll to delete your 23andMe account, so they can decide whether to keep or remove their data. Your DNA is yours alone—take the actions you need to keep it private.
