You can choose whether 23andMe stores your physical DNA sample for potential future testing; if you choose to discard it, the sample is destroyed after lab processing and that choice 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
The policy provides a meaningful choice over biological sample retention, which is operationally significant because a stored sample could be used for future genetic analyses if you later consent, while a discarded sample cannot be recovered for any future purpose.
This new provision adds granularity around physical sample storage decisions and irreversibility, giving users explicit awareness of sample destruction options post-analysis.
View full change record →Users who choose to discard their physical DNA sample cannot reverse that decision; users who allow storage should be aware that the stored sample may be used for additional analyses if they provide future consent, and the sample is subject to transfer provisions in the event of a business transfer.
How other platforms handle this
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"You can choose to have your sample stored. If not, no problem. It will be securely destroyed after the laboratory completes its work. Note that a discard choice cannot be reversed.Excerpt from 23andMe's Privacy Statement
REGULATORY LANDSCAPE: Biological sample storage and use implicates state genetic privacy laws including the California Genetic Information Privacy Act, Illinois Genetic Information Privacy Act, and similar statutes in other states.
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The policy provides a meaningful choice over biological sample retention, which is operationally significant because a stored sample could be used for future genetic analyses if you later consent, while a discarded sample cannot be recovered for any future purpose.
Users who choose to discard their physical DNA sample cannot reverse that decision; users who allow storage should be aware that the stored sample may be used for additional analyses if they provide future consent, and the sample is subject to transfer provisions in the event of a business transfer.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 289 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by 23andMe.