by Matthew Benninger

Tue, March 25th 2025 at 12:03 PM

Updated Tue, March 25th 2025 at 12:05 PM

New York State Attorney General Letitia James is encouraging people to delete their datat stored on 23andMe as the company undergoes bankruptcy and seeks to sell. (AP Photo/23andMe)

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a Consumer Alert advising people to delete their data on 23andMe, a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company.

The service collects and analyzes people genetic code and uses the DNA samples to help people trace their ancestry or detect personal health risks.

23andMe announced that it filed for bankruptcy on March 23. It is now seeking to sell it assets.

Posted below is how you can delete your data on the app if you are a 23andMe customer:

1. Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
2. Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
3. Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
4. Click “View” next to “23andMe Data.”
5. Download your data: If you want a copy of your genetic data for personal storage, choose the option to download it to your device before proceeding.
6. Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
7. Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
8. Confirm your request: You’ll receive an email from 23andMe; follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.

If you previously opted to have your saliva sample and DNA stored by 23andMe, but want to change that preference, you can do so from your account settings page, under “Preferences.” If you previously consented to 23andMe and third-party researchers to use your genetic data and sample for research, you may withdraw consent from the account settings page, under “Research and Product Consents.”

If you have an issue with deleting your data, you can file a complaint with the New York State Office of the Attorney General at this link.

23andMe said it will make no changes to customer data management.