But over 15 million people did just that with thepopular genetic-testing and ancestry-tracking company 23andMe.
These concerns certainly haven’t been soothed by recent news out of the company.
you’ve got the option to also check outCNET’s Best DNA Testing services of 2025list.
Can you delete your 23andMe account?
But not all your data is deleted in 30 days.
What data is deleted after you close your 23andMe account?
The answer to this is more complicated.
And your information will no longer be usable for any of the company’s research projects.
However, there’s more to it than that.
“hey note, data cannot be removed from research that’s already been conducted.”
The representative also said that this data is retained only by the genotyping lab, not 23andMe itself.
Here’s how to download your raw genotyping data and related information:
Log into your 23andMe account.
Head toSettingsand in a web client scroll to the bottom and tapViewnext to 23andMe Data.
In the app, scroll to the bottom of prefs and tapAccess your dataunder 23andMe data.
Some of the downloads come through right away, but some can take 30 days, 23andMe said.
Here’s how to delete your data:
Head toSettingsagain, scroll down to 23andMe Data, and tapView.
You may be asked to verify your birthdate to continue.
23andMe will send you an email asking you to confirm your request.
Once you do, the company will begin the deletion process and you will lose access to your account.
If you had the company store your genetic samples, it will discard them.
For more, find outhow 23andMe fares against its main competitor, Ancestry.
