Once one of the largest global providers of genetic insight, 23andMe has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy with the intent to sell off its assets, including the genetic information of millions. Needless to say, this leave the future of their organization and your data uncertain.
What Happened?
On Sunday, March 23, 2025, 23andMe released an announcement stating a voluntary move into Chapter 11 proceedings. This comes after months of turmoil within their leadership team, group resignations of directors, and universal strategic disagreements. As part of the announcement, their current CEO has stepped down and their CFO has assumed the temporary role of CEO to assist the board in facilitating the sale.
A 40% reduction in demand coupled with a large and very public data breach in 2023 were both highlighted as blame for the reason of the bankruptcy.
The company once valued at $6 billion saw a huge plummet in stock value over the announcement. They are currently entertaining a 45-day window for qualified bids.
The future of the once-sought-after genetic giant remains in question, but that only introducing one big question…
What Come Next?
With the announcement, it leaves questions in the air about what will happen next. As this is a restructuring to sale, concerns are raised over who could potentially gain access to the millions of records of genetic material and what that could mean for privacy, safety, and more.
More information will be released during their 45-day window and, hopefully, advance public notice will be provided once a purchaser is selected.
How Do I Remove and Protect My Data?
One of the biggest questions has been asked over the last several hours is whether it is possible to remove your data permanently from 23andMe’s systems.
If you wish to have your data removed from their systems and/or revoked from research rights, you can follow the below steps. However, please note that data may still exist in offline systems and in backups. There is currently not a process to request your data be fully and permanently removed from their system; however, the California Attorney General is actively working on improving this process. The Attorney General has issued a statement regarding data access as well.
Follow these steps to delete your data and account:
Log in to your 23andMe account
[Optional: You may download a copy of your reports and data prior to deletion.]
Click on “Settings”
Click on “23andMe Data”
Click on “View”
Scroll down, locate, and click on “Delete Data”
Again, click on “Permanently Delete Data”
Confirm with the popup
You should then receive an e-mail that you must confirm through as well.
Then, additionally, you will want to revoke your data to be used in research:
Log in to your 23andMe account
Click on “Settings”
Click on “Research and Product Consents”
Revoke any consents currently authorized
This is an evolving situation and, given the sensitive nature of the data, more information will be released as the proceedings continue. We will keep you updated as more information comes out.
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