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Michigan’s AG advises users to delete 23andMe genealogy data following the company’s bankruptcy and prior data breach that exposed millions of genetic profiles.
At ThumbWind, our authors have been involved in genealogy research for over 40 years, and we’ve personally used 23andMe genealogy testing to make remarkable discoveries in our family history studies. However, in light of recent developments, we believe it’s wise to approach the situation with an abundance of caution. We urge our readers to take the Michigan Attorney General’s warning seriously—and we plan to do the same.
23andMe Genealogy Privacy Risks Prompt Statewide Advisory
As genetic testing company 23andMe faces a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging residents to consider deleting their 23andMe genealogy accounts and removing all stored genetic information from the company’s database.
Nessel’s warning, issued March 26, follows the company’s official bankruptcy on March 23, and is underscored by ongoing concerns about data security. “23andMe collects and stores some of the most sensitive personal information—our genetic code,” said Nessel. “With the company now in bankruptcy, customers should be aware of the potential risks and consider deleting their accounts to protect their data.”
23andMe Genealogy Services Gather Deeply Personal Data
23andMe genealogy services provide users with insight into ancestral origins, genetic health risks, and other DNA-related traits. However, this information isn’t just kept for personal reports. Users often give consent—intentionally or unknowingly—for their genetic data to be shared with pharmaceutical and medical research firms.
Now that 23andMe has entered bankruptcy proceedings, experts say that the fate of this highly personal data becomes less clear.
Massive 2023 Data Breach Amplifies Fallout
In October 2023, 23andMe disclosed a breach that exposed the personal information of nearly seven million Americans. The data included not only basic account information but also shared ancestry details that some users had uploaded to family trees and shared DNA networks.
The company admitted that the breach stemmed from attackers using old or compromised passwords from other websites—then successfully logging into 23andMe accounts that reused them. As a result, both users and their DNA-matched relatives may have been indirectly exposed.
What Bankruptcy Means for 23andMe Genealogy Customers
Bankruptcy doesn’t mean 23andMe is closing its doors—at least not yet. The company insists operations will continue as normal. But under Chapter 11 restructuring, companies often sell or reorganize assets. In some cases, that may include consumer data.
Privacy experts warn that genetic data—unlike a phone number or email address—is uniquely sensitive. According to a 2023 report from the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), genetic data “can reveal deeply personal details not only about a user, but also about their family members.” The organization has long cautioned against trusting for-profit genealogy companies with DNA data, especially when third-party data-sharing is involved [Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation, “Genetic Data Privacy,” 2023].
In Michigan, where thousands have turned to 23andMe genealogy tools to trace family trees and inherited conditions, these concerns take on greater weight. If the company is sold or reorganized, it’s unclear how existing consent agreements might be treated by a new owner or creditor.
Michigan Residents Advised to Take Immediate Action
To prevent further misuse or exposure of personal data, the Michigan Attorney General’s office has published step-by-step guidance for account holders:
- Delete your 23andMe Genealogy Data:
Log in, navigate to “Settings,” scroll to “23andMe Data,” and click “Permanently Delete Data.” Confirm via email. - Destroy Stored Saliva Samples:
Change sample storage preferences under account “Preferences.” - Withdraw Research Consent:
Under “Research and Product Consents,” revoke permissions previously granted to third-party researchers.
It’s worth noting that deletion may not be instantaneous—23andMe has acknowledged delays and outages due to surging user activity.
What Bankruptcy Means for 23andMe Genealogy Customers
Bankruptcy doesn’t mean 23andMe is closing its doors—at least not yet. The company insists operations will continue as normal. But under Chapter 11 restructuring, companies often sell or reorganize assets. In some cases, that may include consumer data.
“Consumers may not realize they’ve already opted in to long-term data sharing,” said Dr. Munroe. “Even if the company shutters, the agreements made with third parties may outlast 23andMe itself.”
This risk is especially concerning in Michigan, where thousands have used 23andMe genealogy services to build detailed family trees and investigate hereditary health risks. These deeply personal data sets could become valuable—and vulnerable—assets in bankruptcy negotiations.
Growing National Scrutiny of DNA Testing Firms
Michigan isn’t alone in sounding the alarm. Attorneys general in California and Minnesota have echoed similar concerns, urging consumers to reevaluate their relationship with direct-to-consumer DNA testing firms.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office is launching a parallel investigation into 23andMe’s handling of user data under GDPR privacy laws.
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