In today’s digital age, protecting your personal and genetic data is more important than ever. Companies like 23andMe offer fascinating insights into your ancestry and health, but they also collect sensitive DNA data that raises serious privacy concerns.
If you’re among the many users wondering “Should I delete my 23andMe data?”, this blog walks you through how to delete your 23andMe data, what it means for your privacy, and how to opt out of their research programs.
Why Should You Delete Your 23andMe Data?
The rise in genetic data privacy concerns has made people more cautious about services like 23andMe. While DNA testing provides valuable information, it comes with long-term risks:
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- 23andMe data breaches have occurred, exposing the personal information of millions of users.
- Your DNA can be used not only for research but potentially for law enforcement, health insurers, or third-party marketers.
- Even if you delete your account, your genetic data may have already been shared under previous consents.
Given these concerns, removing DNA data from 23andMe is a decision many people are now considering for peace of mind.
23andMe Privacy Concerns and Data Security
The company claims to have robust data security protocols, but past incidents suggest otherwise. In a high-profile data breach, hackers accessed genetic and profile data through reused passwords. This event highlighted major 23andMe privacy concerns, as genetic data is uniquely identifiable and cannot be changed like a password.
If you value data privacy, deleting your 23andMe data may be a wise step toward regaining control over your personal information.
What Happens When You Delete Your 23andMe Data?
When you delete your data, 23andMe:
- Removes your genetic information from its active databases.
- Revokes your access to health and ancestry reports.
- Ends your participation in research studies (if opted in).
- Retains data only where legally required (for compliance or regulatory reasons).
Note: Deleting your account is permanent. You won’t be able to recover any of your reports or results once deleted.
Step-by-Step: How to Delete Your 23andMe Data
To delete your 23andMe account and genetic data, follow these steps:
- Log in to your 23andMe account at https://www.23andme.com/login.
- Go to Settings in the top-right corner of your dashboard.
- Scroll down to the section labeled “Account Settings.”
- Click “Delete Your Account”.
- You’ll be prompted to review the data deletion policy.
- Select whether you want to delete just your account or also request the deletion of your biological sample (saliva).
- Confirm your action by entering your password again.
- Once submitted, the deletion process begins. It may take up to 30 days to fully remove your data from all systems.
How to Opt-Out of 23andMe Research Without Deleting Your Account
If you’re not ready to delete your entire account, you can still opt out of 23andMe research:
- Go to Account Settings > Research Consent.
- Change your preference to “Do not participate.”
- This will stop any future data sharing with research partners.
This option allows you to maintain access to your reports while enhancing your personal data privacy.
Manage Your 23andMe Personal Data Smartly
You can also take these additional steps to manage 23andMe personal data without deleting everything:
- Download a copy of your raw genetic data before deletion.
- Revoke third-party connections in your settings.
- Remove family tree and relative connections to prevent data links.
- Use strong, unique passwords to avoid unauthorized access.
Final Thoughts: Should You Delete Your 23andMe Data?
The decision to delete your data depends on your comfort level with genetic data privacy. If you value long-term data protection and don’t want your DNA potentially shared—even in anonymized form—deleting your 23andMe data is a strong step.
It’s also worth noting that once deleted, your genetic identity remains safe from future breaches, partner research, or policy changes.
In 2025, privacy is power. Managing your digital footprint, especially your genetic one, is not just smart—it’s essential.