23andMe's Board Abandons Ship - Here's How to Delete Your DNA Data Before It's Too Late

Earlier this month, 23andMe faced a significant crisis when all of its independent directors resigned from the company's board. This drastic move came about a month after the well-known DNA testing company faced financial struggles and declining sales.

The sudden resignation of the board members raises concerns about the future of 23andMe and how it will handle the sensitive genetic information of millions of users. With the recent news, many customers are left wondering what this might mean for their DNA data and whether it's safe to leave it in the hands of 23andMe.

As the company navigates through these uncertain times, users might be considering deleting their DNA data to ensure their information remains secure. In this article, we will guide you through the process and answer some questions you may have about your data and the security of 23andMe's system.

How to Delete Your 23andMe DNA Data

To delete your 23andMe DNA data, follow these steps:

1. Go to the 23andMe website and log in to your account.

2. Click on your account name at the top right corner and select "Account" from the dropdown menu.

3. In the account settings page, click on "Delete Account" at the bottom of the page.

4. Confirm your decision by checking the boxes next to "Delete my account", "Delete my DNA data", and "Permanently delete my reports".

5. Enter your password to confirm and submit the request.

It's essential to note that deleting your 23andMe account is a permanent action and cannot be reversed. Before taking this step, you should consider downloading your raw data and transferring it to another DNA testing platform if needed.

What Happens to My DNA Data After Deleting My Account?

After deleting your 23andMe account, your DNA data is removed from the site, and you will no longer have access to it. This means that you won't be able to view or share your genetic reports, and you won't be able to connect with relatives.

However, the company reserves the right to keep certain information for business purposes, including financial transactions and customer service interactions. This data will be anonymized and stored separately from your DNA data.

Is 23andMe Still Safe and Trustworthy?

Despite the recent issues and independent directors' resignation, 23andMe still maintains that the security and integrity of user data remain their top priority.

The company uses industry-standard encryption methods to protect user information and follows strict guidelines for handling sensitive data. However, the recent news has put the spotlight on 23andMe's handling of user data, and some experts have raised concerns about the security of the company's database.

Ultimately, the decision to keep or delete your DNA data is up to you. If you decide to delete your data, make sure to follow the steps outlined above and consider downloading your raw data before permanently removing it from 23andMe's servers.