How to Delete Your Data From 23andMe, Ancestry, and Other Genealogy Sites

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23andMe, maker of popular DNA test kits, recently announced that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is looking for a buyer. Although the company has promised to continue protecting customer data, I'm advising you to take steps to protect and delete your genetic information. When any company is in the position of potentially selling or transferring your information, you need to understand the risks. In today's volatile digital world, whether you’re a customer of 23andMe or of another genetic testing company such as Ancestry or MyHeritage, you need to consider removing your data from their servers. Here's what you need to know.

Why you should delete your genetic data. In October 2018, MyHeretage suffered a data breach, and in October 2023, 23andMe experienced a major data breach that included family trees, birth years, and geographic locations. Both breaches underscore the flaws in genetic data security and prove that cyber criminals are after your information.. If your genetic data collected from DNA testing is leaked onto the web, it could lead to harmful consequences. For instance, your insurance company could use genetic information to deny coverage or increase premiums based on perceived health risks. Employers might also discriminate against individuals based on their genetic predispositions to certain conditions. Also, companies that collect your genetic information are not subject to the HIPAA laws governing the privacy of your health and medical records. Of course, it's important to remember that your DNA data is some of the most sensitive information that exists about you, and a data breach or transfer of company ownership could land that data in unknown hands.

How to Protect Your Genetic Data Privacy It’s clear that concerns around genetic privacy are valid. If you're still considering DNA testing, you should take several precautions:

1. Avoid Testing: The simplest way to protect genetic privacy is simply to refrain from using consumer DNA tests. While this may not be practical for everyone, it is the most effective way to ensure that your genetic information remains private.

2. Use Medical Genetic Testing: Conduct DNA tests through medical professionals, where data is better protected under laws like HIPAA. Medical genetic testing often provides more comprehensive and accurate results, and the data is subject to stricter privacy protections.

3. Research Privacy Policies: Thoroughly review the DNA testing Privacy Policy of the company your kit is from to understand how your data will be used and whether you can remove it later. Look for companies with strong commitments to data security and privacy, and avoid those sharing data with third parties without explicit consent.

4. Secure Your Accounts: Create strong, unique passphrases (not passwords) and enable 2-factor Authentication. Update your login credentials regularly and monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.

How to Delete Your Data. Deleting your data from popular ancestry and DNA sites isn't always straightforward, but I've included some instructions for 23andMe, Ancestry, and MyHeritage to help you protect your data.

23andMe. 23andMe customers can delete their account and personal information from the “23andMe Data” section in their account settings.

How to have your test sample destroyed: When you submit your test to 23andMe’s third-party lab, unless you consent to have it stored (or “biobanked”), your saliva sample and DNA will be destroyed after it is analyzed. If you opted to have it stored but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under “Preferences.”

Is your data used for research, and can you revoke that permission? 23andMe and third-party researchers may use your genetic data and sample for research if you granted them consent to do so by completing a consent document.

You can withdraw consent for your information to be used in research from the account settings page.

Ancestry

Sign in to your account and navigate to your DNA Settings page. Click “Delete” next to “Delete DNA Test Results And Revoke Consent to Processing."

Deleting your overall Ancestry account will also result in your data being deleted.

How to have your test sample destroyed: Deleting your Ancestry account will result in the destruction of your biological sample.

Is your data used for research, and can you revoke that permission? Ancestry and third-party researchers may use your data for research purposes if you agreed to let them do so when you opened your account or in your account settings. If you’d like to opt out of future research projects, you can withdraw your consent in DNA Settings, under “Consents.”

MyHeritage

Users can delete their genetic data by going to the Manage DNA Kits section of their account settings and then selecting the button to delete data, according to a MyHeritage representative. They can also contact the MyHeritage customer support division by phone or email to have their data deleted.

How to have your test sample destroyed: To have DNA samples discarded, users can contact MyHeritage customer support by phone or email.

Is your data used for research, and can you revoke that permission? When you signed up for an account, you were given the option to allow MyHeritage to conduct research with your DNA data. To withdraw consent for internal research, users can go to their account settings page, select Privacy, and then select My DNA Preferences.

Hopefully, this will give you the information you need to protect your genetic information. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to me anytime.

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