How to Delete Your Personal Data from 23andMe

23andMe, the well-known genetic testing company, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, sparking concerns about what will happen to its extensive DNA database, which holds the genetic information of over 15 million people. As the company struggles financially, there’s a real risk that this data could be sold to an unknown buyer, creating a lot of uncertainty.

Things took a serious turn in October 2023, when 23andMe suffered a major data breach, exposing the sensitive genetic and health information of seven million customers. This led to more than 50 lawsuits and several arbitration claims, raising valid concerns about the safety and privacy of personal data held by the company. While 23andMe has assured the public that they will protect customer privacy, the bankruptcy filing has only heightened these fears.

Experts, including the California Attorney General Rob Bonta, have warned users to purge their data sooner rather than later. 23andMe’s past partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and law enforcement, along with recent changes to its terms of service, have made many uneasy about how customer data might be used in the future.

To delete your data from 23andMe, here’s what you can do:

‍

Fear that your personal information is already leaked? Check for yourself here and keep your future data footprint secure with Cloaked. Get 23% off (for 23andMe users) with code 23DELETE and take control of your digital (and genetic) identity. Because your data should always stay yours.

Cloaked makes deleting your data from data broker websites easy! It allows you to create “new personal information” like usernames, phone numbers, and email addresses that you can use in place of your real details when signing up for services. You can even use Cloaked to register for new services or signing up for new websites, keeping your actual information protected and secure.