23andMe · 23andMe Privacy Statement · View original document ↗

Genetic and Health Data Collection Scope

High severity Medium confidence Explicitdocumentlanguage Unique · 0 of 325 platforms
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Document Record

What it is

23andMe collects your genetic information from your DNA sample as well as self-reported health data, family history, traits, and behavioral information from how you use the service. This data collectively forms an unusually comprehensive personal profile.

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

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

Genetic data is permanent and uniquely identifying; combined with self-reported health conditions, family history, and behavioral usage data, the information 23andMe collects is among the most sensitive and irreplaceable personal data any consumer service can hold.

Interpretive note: The full document text was truncated; the complete list of data categories collected and detailed use purposes may be specified in sections not fully available in the reviewed excerpt.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium May 5, 2026

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 …

Medium Mar 23, 2026

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 teleheal…

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

The data 23andMe collects spans your DNA sequence, health conditions, family relationships, and digital behavior, creating a profile that cannot be changed or replaced if compromised; users should carefully review all consent options before submitting a sample.

How other platforms handle this

Discord Medium

We collect the following information when you register for and use our services: Account information. You can create a Discord account by providing an email address and creating a username and password. When you create an account, we will assign you a unique identifier. If you choose to, you may pro...

Stripe Medium

"Personal Data" refers to any information associated with an identified or identifiable individual, which can include data that you provide to us, and that we collect about you during your interaction with our Services (such as device information, IP address, etc.).

Fly.io Medium

We collect information you provide directly to us, such as when you create an account, make a purchase, or contact us for support. This includes: Account information (name, email address, password); Payment information (credit card details, billing address); Profile information (company name, job ti...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
This Privacy Statement applies to all websites owned and operated by 23andMe, including www.23andme.com, and any other websites, pages, features, or content we own or operate, and to your use of the 23andMe mobile app and any related Services.

— Excerpt from 23andMe's 23andMe Privacy Statement

ConductAtlas Analysis

Institutional analysis (Compliance & governance intelligence)

REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Genetic data is classified as a special category of personal data under GDPR Article 9, requiring explicit consent as the lawful basis for processing in most contexts. The collection of health-related phenotypic data alongside genetic information may engage HIPAA-adjacent frameworks at the state level even if 23andMe is not a covered entity under federal HIPAA. The California Genetic Information Privacy Act imposes specific consent and use limitations beyond CCPA. The FTC's health breach notification rule and guidance on sensitive health data are also relevant to the data collection scope. GOVERNANCE EXPOSURE: High. The breadth of data collected, spanning biological, health, familial, and behavioral categories, creates significant governance exposure across multiple regulatory frameworks simultaneously. The permanent and heritable nature of genetic data means that any breach, unauthorized use, or consent failure has consequences that are not correctable after the fact. JURISDICTION FLAGS: EU/EEA users are protected by GDPR's explicit consent requirement for special category data; national data protection authorities in Germany and France have historically taken conservative positions on genetic data processing. Illinois BIPA does not directly cover genetic sequencing but may apply to certain biometric data elements. States with standalone genetic privacy statutes (California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, Washington) create layered obligations beyond federal baselines. CONTRACT AND VENDOR IMPLICATIONS: Laboratory partners, cloud storage providers, and analytics vendors handling genetic data should be subject to data processing agreements with appropriate security and use limitation provisions consistent with GDPR Article 28 and equivalent US standards. Insurance against genetic data breach events should be evaluated given the severity and permanence of potential harms. COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS: A comprehensive data mapping exercise covering all categories of data collected, all systems in which they are stored, and all downstream uses (including research partnerships) is essential. Consent records for each data category and use purpose should be maintained with sufficient granularity to demonstrate compliance with GDPR and CCPA requirements. Security certification and breach response protocols specific to genetic data should be reviewed.

Full compliance analysis

Regulatory citations, enforcement risk, and due diligence action items.

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Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has enforcement authority over unfair or deceptive practices in consumer data collection, including health and genetic data, and has issued specific guidance on the sensitivity of such information.
    File a complaint →
  • State AG
    State attorneys general in California and other states with genetic privacy laws have direct enforcement authority over the collection and use of genetic and health data from their residents.
    File a complaint →

Applicable regulations

BIPA
Illinois, USA
CCPA/CPRA
California, USA
Connecticut Data Privacy Act Amendments
US-CT
CAN-SPAM
United States Federal
ePrivacy Directive
European Union
FTC Act Section 5
United States Federal
GDPR
European Union
HIPAA
United States Federal
Indiana Consumer Data Protection Act
US-IN
Kentucky Consumer Data Protection Act
US-KY
Universal Opt-Out Mechanism Expansion 2026
US

Provision details

Document information
Document
23andMe Privacy Statement
Entity
23andMe
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 10, 2026
Last verified
May 10, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-008858
Document ID
CA-D-00148
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
75d8665d135fa6d31192b0d85a6673be7360c09d76bada7d500c8998b5548dc2
Analysis generated
May 10, 2026 11:48 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: 23andMe
Document: 23andMe Privacy Statement
Record ID: CA-P-008858
Captured: 2026-05-10 11:48:38 UTC
SHA-256: 75d8665d135fa6d3…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/23andme/23andme-privacy-statement/genetic-and-health-data-collection-scope/
Accessed: May 13, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

Other risks in this policy

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does 23andMe's Genetic and Health Data Collection Scope clause do?

Genetic data is permanent and uniquely identifying; combined with self-reported health conditions, family history, and behavioral usage data, the information 23andMe collects is among the most sensitive and irreplaceable personal data any consumer service can hold.

How does this clause affect you?

The data 23andMe collects spans your DNA sequence, health conditions, family relationships, and digital behavior, creating a profile that cannot be changed or replaced if compromised; users should carefully review all consent options before submitting a sample.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with 23andMe?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by 23andMe.