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
The clause establishes that participation in data-sharing features is not automatic or mandatory — it is subject to the user's own decision, which determines whether their data is shared through those channels.
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 →The reader has the authority to decide whether to participate in 23andMe's sharing features; participation is not imposed.
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The right to know with whom we have shared your Personal Data, for what purposes, and what Personal Data has been shared (including whether Personal Data was disclosed to third parties for their own direct marketing purposes)
If you choose to reveal any personal information about yourself to other users, you do so at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to use caution in disclosing any personal information online.
If you want to see what information we have collected about you, you can request a copy of your data in the Data & Privacy section of your User Settings. You should receive your data packet within 30 days.
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23andMe has changed this document before.
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"You decide whether you want to participate in our sharing features, like DNA Relatives and Your Connections.— Excerpt from 23andMe's 23andMe Privacy Statement
Ad personalization controls removed. Contact scanning added. Advertiser data partnerships quietly dropped. A timeline of every change.
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The clause establishes that participation in data-sharing features is not automatic or mandatory — it is subject to the user's own decision, which determines whether their data is shared through those channels.
The reader has the authority to decide whether to participate in 23andMe's sharing features; participation is not imposed.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 290 platforms. See the full comparison.
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