23andMe · 23andMe Terms of Service · View original document ↗

Sample Processing Failure and Refund Limitation

Medium severity Unique · 0 of 343 platforms
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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)

This clause defines the operational and financial boundaries for sample processing failures, establishing that refund eligibility is limited to a single refund minus specified costs, and that users who experience a second processing failure are restricted from future sample submissions under the Service purchase mechanism.

Recent Activity

This document changed recently

Medium May 5, 2026

The updated Terms now apply only to users who live outside the United States, Canada, EEA, UK, and Switzerland, or who access the Services from outside those regions. US, Canadian, EEA, UK, and Swiss users are directed to region-specific Terms instead. Additionally, when terms for a specific Service conflict with the main Terms, the specific Service terms now govern that portion of your use rather than the main Terms controlling. The mandatory arbitration provision remains in the document but is no longer prominently featured at the very beginning of the Terms.

View change record →
High Apr 19, 2026

The updated Terms of Service now apply exclusively to users in the United States, narrowing the geographic scope from the prior version that addressed users in multiple regions. The terms now contain a prominently featured mandatory arbitration provision that requires disputes to be resolved through individual arbitration on an individual basis rather than through jury trials or class action lawsuits. This means that if a user has a dispute with 23andMe, the updated terms require arbitration as the method of resolution instead of traditional litigation. Additionally, if a user purchases additional services, the main Terms of Service (including the arbitration provision) will control any conflicting terms from those additional services. You can review the complete updated Terms of Service through the link provided in the document.

View change record →
Medium Mar 23, 2026

The updated terms now apply only to users who live outside or access services outside the United States, Canada, EEA, UK, and Switzerland. Previously, the terms applied to US-based users. The terms also clarify that when service-specific terms conflict with the general Terms of Service, the service-specific terms will govern that particular service rather than the general terms controlling all conflicts. This means users of additional services may operate under different dispute resolution and governance procedures depending on which service they are using.

View change record →

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
Apr 27, 2026
First Seen
Apr 27, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 535 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users who experience a failed second processing attempt are entitled to receive a refund reduced by shipping and handling fees, but are contractually prohibited from submitting another sample through future Service purchases. This provision establishes both the remedy available (refund less costs) and a restriction on future participation in the Service.

How other platforms handle this

Telegram Medium

Telegram can decide to stop offering subscriptions at any time, including in response to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, or to comply with a legal requirement; in this case we will cancel your subscription and refund the prorated portion of any prepaid subscription fee equal to the rema...

Midjourney Medium

Anyone attempting to violate our Community Guidelines using the Editor will face suspension or banning without refund. Use this tool with respect and consideration for others.

Runway Medium

If you purchase a subscription to the Services, Company will automatically charge your payment method each renewal period for the then-current subscription fee until you cancel or when terminated in accordance with the Agreement. After your initial subscription period, and again after any subsequent...

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▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
If the second attempt to process the sample is unsuccessful, (up to 0.65% of all samples fail the second attempt at testing according to 23andMe data obtained in 2019 for all genotype testing),* 23andMe will not send additional sample collection kits and the user will be entitled solely and exclusively to a complete refund of the amount paid to 23andMe, less shipping and handling, provided the user shall not resubmit another sample through a future purchase of the Service.

— Excerpt from 23andMe's 23andMe Terms of Service

Provision details

Document information
Document
23andMe Terms of Service
Entity
23andMe
Document last updated
May 5, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 11, 2026
Last verified
May 12, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-003459
Document ID
CA-D-00147
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
16a44b36aa17e55ddf47ae29310c84ef467de0a10b43cf99d04895259b10a9f1
Analysis generated
May 11, 2026 23:34 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: 23andMe
Document: 23andMe Terms of Service
Record ID: CA-P-003459
Captured: 2026-05-11 23:34:45 UTC
SHA-256: 16a44b36aa17e55d…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/23andme/23andme-terms-of-service/sample-processing-failure-and-refund-limitation/
Accessed: June 19, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
Medium
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does 23andMe's Sample Processing Failure and Refund Limitation clause do?

This clause defines the operational and financial boundaries for sample processing failures, establishing that refund eligibility is limited to a single refund minus specified costs, and that users who experience a second processing failure are restricted from future sample submissions under the Service purchase mechanism.

How does this clause affect you?

Users who experience a failed second processing attempt are entitled to receive a refund reduced by shipping and handling fees, but are contractually prohibited from submitting another sample through future Service purchases. This provision establishes both the remedy available (refund less costs) and a restriction on future participation in the Service.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with 23andMe?

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