How to delete your 23andMe data

DNA testing service 23andMe has undergone serious upheaval in latest months, creating considerations for the 15 million prospects who entrusted the corporate with their private organic info. After submitting for Chapter 11 chapter safety in March, the corporate grew to become the middle of a bidding conflict that ended Friday when co-founder Anne Wojcicki mentioned she’d efficiently reacquired management via her nonprofit TTAM Analysis Institute for $305 million.

The chapter proceedings had despatched shockwaves via the genetic testing trade and amongst privateness advocates, with safety specialists and lawmakers urging prospects to take rapid motion to safeguard their information. The corporate’s interim CEO revealed this week that 1.9 million folks, around 15% of 23andMe’s customer base, have already requested their genetic information be deleted from the corporate’s servers.

The state of affairs grew to become much more advanced final week after greater than two dozen states filed lawsuits difficult the sale of shoppers’ personal information, arguing that 23andMe should get hold of express consent earlier than transferring or promoting private info to any new entity.

Whereas the corporate’s insurance policies imply you can’t delete all traces of your genetic information — notably info which will have already been shared with analysis companions or saved in backup methods — for those who’re one of many 15 million individuals who shared their DNA with 23andMe, there are nonetheless significant steps you may take to guard your self and reduce your publicity.

delete your 23andMe information

To delete your information from 23andMe, you could log in to your account after which observe these steps:

• Navigate to the Settings part of your profile.
• Scroll right down to the choice labeled 23andMe Information. 
• Click on the View possibility and scroll to the Delete Information part.
• Choose the Completely Delete Information button.

You’ll then obtain an e-mail from 23andMe with a hyperlink that can can help you affirm your deletion request. 

You may select to obtain a replica of your information earlier than deleting it.

There is a vital caveat, as 23andMe’s privateness coverage states that the corporate and its labs “will retain your Genetic Info, date of beginning, and intercourse as required for compliance with relevant authorized obligations.”

The coverage continues: “23andMe will even retain restricted info associated to your account and information deletion request, together with however not restricted to, your e-mail tackle, account deletion request identifier, communications associated to inquiries or complaints and authorized agreements for a restricted time frame as required by legislation, contractual obligations, and/or as obligatory for the institution, train or protection of authorized claims and for audit and compliance functions.”

This basically implies that 23andMe could maintain a few of your info for an unspecified period of time. 

destroy your 23andMe take a look at pattern and revoke permission on your information for use for analysis

In the event you beforehand opted to have your saliva pattern and DNA saved by 23andMe, you may change this setting.

To revoke your permission, go into your 23andMe account settings web page after which navigate to Preferences. 

As well as, for those who beforehand agreed to 23andMe and third-party researchers utilizing your genetic information and pattern for analysis, you may withdraw consent from the Analysis and Product Consents part in your account settings. 

Whilst you can reverse that consent, there’s no method so that you can delete that info.

Test in with your loved ones members

After getting requested the deletion of your information, it’s vital to examine in with your loved ones members and encourage them to do the identical as a result of it’s not simply their DNA that’s susceptible to sale — it additionally impacts folks they’re associated to. 

And when you’re at it, it’s value checking in with your pals to make sure that your whole family members are taking steps to guard their information. 

This story initially printed on March 25 and was up to date June 11 with new info.