You can delete your 23andMe account at any time, which will also discard your physical DNA sample — but once you make these choices, they cannot be undone.
This analysis describes what 23andMe's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology
This provision defines the operational mechanism for data subject rights under privacy regulations, specifying that account deletion triggers both account termination and permanent sample destruction rather than retention or archival.
The updated privacy statement no longer explicitly directs users to a separate Medical Record Privacy Notice for telehealth services or explains that medical information collected through telehealth is governed by different privacy rules. Previously, the policy stated that users choosing telehealth services coordinated through 23andMe would find healthcare privacy protections described in a separate notice. That reference is now absent from the main privacy statement. Users seeking privacy information specific to telehealth services will need to determine independently whether a separate notice exists or contact 23andMe directly using the provided contact information.
View change record →The updated privacy statement no longer explicitly discloses a separate Medical Record Privacy Notice that previously described how medical information is used, disclosed, and maintained for telehealth services. Users who receive telehealth services coordinated through 23andMe may now lack clear notice of which privacy framework governs their medical records, since the reference to that parallel notice has been removed. The organizational scope change from '23andMe Research Institute' to '23andMe' narrows the explicitly named entities responsible for the policy, though operational impact depends on how these entities actually function.
View change record →Consumers who delete their accounts lose all access to their genetic data and reports permanently, and previously discarded samples cannot be recovered. This all-or-nothing structure limits partial data management options for users who want to remove some but not all data.
How other platforms handle this
We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time for any reason, including if we determine you have violated these Terms. You may stop using our Services at any time. Upon termination, your right to use the Services will immediately cease.
Google may suspend or terminate your access to our generative AI services if you violate these policies. In cases of severe or repeated violations, we may also suspend or terminate your Google Account.
Snap reserves the right to modify, suspend, or terminate your access to the Services at any time, with or without notice to you, for any reason, including if Snap determines that you have violated these Terms or the law. We will try to give you prior notice if we terminate your account, but we're no...
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The irreversibility of deletion and sample discard aligns with GDPR Article 17 right to erasure requirements, but compliance teams should verify whether all derived research data and de-identified records are also purged or whether retention exceptions apply.
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This provision defines the operational mechanism for data subject rights under privacy regulations, specifying that account deletion triggers both account termination and permanent sample destruction rather than retention or archival.
Consumers who delete their accounts lose all access to their genetic data and reports permanently, and previously discarded samples cannot be recovered. This all-or-nothing structure limits partial data management options for users who want to remove some but not all data.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by 23andMe.