23andMe · 23andMe Privacy Statement

Research Consent and Pharmaceutical Data Sharing

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Why it matters

Your genetic data, even when described as 'de-identified,' is inherently re-identifiable and uniquely personal — and opting in means it may be used commercially by drug companies without further notice to you.

Consumer impact

23andMe collects highly sensitive genetic and health data that can reveal predispositions to serious diseases and relate to biological relatives who never consented to testing. The company may share de-identified genetic data with pharmaceutical and research partners if you opt into the Research program, and can disclose personal data to law enforcement in response to valid legal process. You can opt out of research participation, request sample discard, or delete your account entirely through your account settings at https://www.23andme.com/settings/.

What you can do

⚠️ These actions may provide transparency or partial mitigation but may not fully address the underlying issue. Effectiveness varies by jurisdiction and individual circumstances.
  • Opt Out of Arbitration
    Log into your 23andMe account, navigate to Settings, and locate the Research consent section to withdraw your consent to research participation at any time.

Applicable agencies

  • FTC
    The FTC has jurisdiction over unfair or deceptive data practices and oversight of health data sharing with commercial third parties.
    File a complaint →

Provision details

Document information
Document
23andMe Privacy Statement
Entity
23andMe
Document last updated
March 24, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
March 20, 2026
Last verified
March 20, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-000899
Document ID
CA-D-00148
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
SHA-256
844495d7dee785114a99561b45c570c06ec624efeede6528fc52ced0ba522f1b
Verified
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Change verified
How to Cite
ConductAtlas Policy Archive
Entity: 23andMe | Document: 23andMe Privacy Statement | Record: CA-P-000899
Captured: 2026-03-20 10:27:43 UTC | SHA-256: 844495d7dee78511…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/23andme/23andme-privacy-statement/research-consent-and-pharmaceutical-data-sharing/
Accessed: April 4, 2026
Classification
Severity
High
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