Why should I delete my 23andMe data?
Your genome holds deeply personal information like your ancestral roots, health predispositions, and family connections.
When Regeneron Pharmaceuticals beat out other bidders in May with a $256 million offer for 23andMe, there was an uproar over the idea that these immutable genetic records could be transferred to a for-profit buyer without new consent. However, in a late-June decision, a US bankruptcy judge approved the sale of 23andMe’s assets to a nonprofit founded by one of its co-founders — preserving the existing privacy and deletion policies and effectively preventing any controversial handoff of DNA data to a third party.
Still, because your DNA is personal, and with few federal privacy protections available, deleting your 23andMe data is a way to regain control.
Can I reverse a deletion request?
No. Once you confirm “Permanently Delete All Records” via the confirmation email, the process is irreversible, and your account is permanently closed.
What personal information does 23andMe keep?
To comply with legal retention requirements, 23andMe keeps some metadata about your account — including your account email, DOB, sex, a deletion-request record, and communications related to inquiries, complaints, and legal agreements.
When did 23andMe file for bankruptcy?
The company filed for Chapter 11 protection in late March 2025, citing weak kit sales and mounting operational costs.
Who’s purchasing the company’s data assets?
TTAM Research Institute won the auction with a $305 million bid. The TTAM acronym stands for “twenty-three and me.”
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