Advisory Post: Consider Deleting You 23andMe Data and Account

It is strongly recommended to delete your 23andMe data and account. After being hacked in late 2023 and the data being sold on the dark market; 23andMe followed up by selling data themselves. 23andMe has had a tumultuous few years. Late last year (2024) the entire firms board resigned.

Genetic data is likely the most sensitive type of data. 23andMe has proved time and time again that protecting your sensitive data is not the top priority. See recommendations for deleting your data and account below.

What to Do If You’re Concerned About the 23andMe Breach

In early October, a bad actor claimed they were selling account details from the genetic testing service, 23andMe, which included alleged data of one million users of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and another 100,000 users of Chinese descent. By mid-October this expanded out to another four million more…

Electronic Frontier FoundationThorin Klosowski

Attorney General Bonta Urgently Issues Consumer Alert for 23andMe Customers

Californians have the right to direct the company to delete their genetic data OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a consumer alert to customers of 23andMe, a genetic testing and information company. The California-based company has publicly reported that it is in financial distress and stated in securities filings that there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern.

State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General

Many people that used 23andMe were simply trying to piece together their identity because of the extensive harm that slavery and colonization had on their bloodline. I emphasize with this, as I was one of those people.

I never considered how genetic data would be used. I was led by my trauma.