You must be at least 18 years old to create a 23andMe account and use the services, though parents or legal guardians may purchase and manage testing for minors.
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 age restriction functions as an eligibility requirement that defines the authorized user population for 23andMe's service. This establishes a gatekeeping mechanism tied to legal capacity and regulatory compliance with laws governing genetic testing and health information.
Parents who purchase genetic testing for their minor children are agreeing on those children's behalf to have highly sensitive biological data collected, processed, and potentially used for research — a decision that cannot be undone as the child grows up.
How other platforms handle this
Except as set forth below, or as otherwise approved by us, the services are for your personal, non-commercial use unless you enter into a separate agreement with us for your commercial use.
You may not display any personal contact, banking, or peer-to-peer payment information, whether in relation to you or any other person (for example, names, home addresses or postcodes, telephone numbers, email addresses, URLs, credit/debit card...)
You agree that Promotional Codes: (a) must be used in a lawful manner; (b) must be used for the intended audience and purpose; (c) may not be duplicated, sold or transferred in any manner...
"You are at least 18 years oldExcerpt from 23andMe's Terms of Service
The handling of minors' genetic data raises COPPA compliance considerations and may engage state-level genetic privacy statutes.
Enforcement risk, jurisdiction flags, contract triggers, and due diligence action items.
Search "[your state] attorney general consumer complaint" to find your state's direct complaint form
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The age restriction functions as an eligibility requirement that defines the authorized user population for 23andMe's service. This establishes a gatekeeping mechanism tied to legal capacity and regulatory compliance with laws governing genetic testing and health information.
Parents who purchase genetic testing for their minor children are agreeing on those children's behalf to have highly sensitive biological data collected, processed, and potentially used for research — a decision that cannot be undone as the child grows up.
ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 281 platforms. See the full comparison.
No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by 23andMe.