How to Cancel 23andMe+ 2026 — Delete Your DNA Data Before It's Too Late

Updated March 2026 • 7 min read

23andMe went from a $6 billion company to filing for bankruptcy protection. Your genetic data — the most personal data that exists — is now a corporate asset that could be sold to the highest bidder. If you have a 23andMe account, canceling the subscription isn't enough. You need to delete your data.

23andMe+ Pricing

• 23andMe+ (annual): $29/year (previously $299 for Premium)
• Original kit: $99-229 one-time purchase
• 23andMe+ Premium: $69/year (health + ancestry + reports)

Step 1: Cancel 23andMe+ Subscription

1. Log in at 23andme.com
2. Click Settings (gear icon)
3. Go to 23andMe+ Membership
4. Click Cancel Membership
5. Confirm cancellation

Step 2: Delete Your Genetic Data (Critical)

1. Log in at 23andme.com
2. Go to Settings → 23andMe Data
3. Scroll to Delete Data
4. Click Permanently delete data
5. Confirm via email link
6. Also: check Individual Data Consent under Settings and opt out of all research

23andMe says deletion takes up to 30 days. Request destruction of your physical DNA sample too — go to Settings → 23andMe Data → scroll to "Sample Storage" and opt out.

Step 3: Opt Out of Research

1. Go to Settings → Research and Product Consents
2. Toggle OFF all research participation consents
3. This prevents your (already-analyzed) data from being used in future studies or sold to pharma companies

Why This Matters More Than Any Other Cancellation

• DNA is permanent: You can change your password, get a new credit card, even change your name. You cannot change your DNA. Once it's out, it's out forever.
• Bankruptcy = data sale risk: In bankruptcy proceedings, customer data is a corporate asset. Buyers may not honor 23andMe's original privacy promises.
• 2023 data breach: 6.9 million users' data was exposed. 23andMe initially blamed users for "recycling passwords."
• Insurance implications: While GINA protects against health insurance discrimination based on genetics, life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance have NO such protection.
• Law enforcement access: Genetic databases have been used by law enforcement. Even if YOU didn't commit a crime, your DNA can implicate relatives.
• Future unknowns: We don't know how genetic data will be used in 10, 20, or 50 years. Minimizing your exposure now is the safest approach.

Download Your Data First

Before deleting, you can download your raw genetic data for personal use:

1. Go to Settings → 23andMe Data
2. Click Download Raw Data
3. Store securely (encrypted drive, not cloud storage)
4. You can upload raw data to free tools like Promethease ($12 one-time) for health analysis without a subscription

Alternatives (That Don't Store Your DNA)

• Medical genetic testing through your doctor: HIPAA-protected, done through certified labs, results stay in your medical record (not a startup's database)
• Promethease ($12): Upload raw DNA data for a one-time health analysis — no subscription, no data retention
• Family tree research: Ancestry.com for genealogy without DNA (records-based research)
• Talk to relatives: The old-fashioned way of learning about family health history — free and private