What’s Happening with 23andMe? Can I delete my data?

23andMe was once the poster child for direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing, offering consumers affordable access to detailed ancestry insights and health risk reports—all from a simple saliva sample. But as of March 2025, the company is in serious trouble.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Stock Collapse: 23andMe’s stock has plunged over 99% from its peak, driven by falling demand, regulatory hurdles, and rising competition from platforms like Ancestry.com.
• Mass Layoffs: The company laid off around 40% of its workforce, including shutting down its drug development division.
• Bankruptcy Filing: On March 23, 2025, the company officially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, a move intended to facilitate a sale or restructuring.
• Leadership Exodus: All independent board members resigned in 2024, and CEO Anne Wojcicki stepped down following the bankruptcy announcement.
• Data Breach Fallout: In 2023, a major breach exposed the sensitive personal information of nearly 7 million users, shaking public trust and raising alarm about how such data might be handled under new ownership.

With over 15 million DNA profiles in its database, the question on everyone’s mind is: What happens to your genetic data if the company is sold—or worse, liquidated?

While 23andMe claims its privacy commitments remain unchanged, the fine print in its privacy policy suggests that user data can be transferred to new owners in the event of a merger, sale, or bankruptcy. This has drawn criticism from privacy experts, particularly because users cannot opt out of these transfers once they’ve submitted their DNA.

How to Delete Your 23andMe Data

If you’re feeling uneasy about how your genetic information might be handled during 23andMe’s bankruptcy process, you can still take steps to protect your data. While deleting your account won’t undo past data-sharing with research partners, it will remove your information from 23andMe’s servers and prevent it from being transferred in a future sale.

🧬 Step-by-Step Guide to Delete Your 23andMe Account:

1. Log in to your account at www.23andme.com.
2. Click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and go to “Settings.”
3. Scroll down to the section labeled “Account Information.”
4. Click on “Delete Your Account.”
5. Confirm the deletion and follow the on-screen instructions.

⚠️ Heads-Up: If you previously opted into 23andMe’s research program (as over 80% of users did), that anonymized data may still exist in third-party research databases. Deleting your account doesn’t revoke data that’s already been shared, which is a key reason this company’s collapse has become such a flashpoint in privacy circles.

Want a Copy Before You Go?

Before you delete your account, you can download your raw DNA data for personal storage or use elsewhere:

• Navigate to Settings > Data Access > Download Raw Data, and follow the steps to export your genetic information.

Final Thought: Is This the Beginning of the End for DTC Genetics?

The story of 23andMe—once valued in the billions, now teetering on bankruptcy—raises deep questions about how we trade convenience for control when it comes to our most intimate data.

When you mailed your saliva off to a Silicon Valley startup, did you ever imagine your DNA might become a corporate asset in a bankruptcy auction?

Let’s open this up:

• Should DNA data be treated as protected medical information under HIPAA?
• Can privacy ever be guaranteed in the DTC biotech space?
• Is it time for stronger federal legislation around genetic data ownership?

What’s your take? Would you still use a service like 23andMe today? Drop your thoughts below. 👇