Review privacy settings before keeping or deleting a DNA test

Choose the outcome before deleting anything

23andMe's overview describes choosing participation in sharing features, sample storage and account deletion. Start by listing the outcome wanted: fewer matches seeing information, ending future research, discarding a sample or closing the account. Those controls have different effects. Read the current notice for the account's country. 23andMe: account and sample choices

For Ancestry, deleting DNA results permanently removes access to results and future downloads without cancelling the membership. If retaining a personal copy is necessary, decide before deletion. Keeping such a copy is optional; creating another copy also creates another item to protect. Ancestry: delete DNA results

Review matching and invited access in Ancestry

The following paths were checked against current public help on 10-24-2026. No logged-in account or installed app was tested. Work only on a test owned or legitimately managed. Ancestry: DNA privacy settings

1. Open Profile > Account Settings > DNA and select the relevant test. Review DNA matches, ancestral origins, Compare traits and DNA test sharing. Check invited access as well as the match list. Ancestry: DNA privacy settings
2. Review Research consent and Survey consent separately. A display name change alone does not withdraw research consent or destroy a sample. Ancestry: DNA privacy settings

Review research and stored samples in 23andMe

1. In Account Settings, review the research consent choices. The main consent says withdrawal prevents use in new research initiated after thirty days from receipt; research already performed or published is not undone. Read any additional study-specific consents separately. 23andMe: research consent and withdrawal
2. Review biobanking consent separately. Withdrawing through account settings leads to disposal within the legally applicable timeframe. The document gives no single universal number of days; earlier lawful processing is not reversed. 23andMe: stored samples and withdrawal
3. Review the sharing choices and optional connections as well. 23andMe's overview says report sharing requires a choice and account settings offer raw-data download and deletion. Review consequences before confirming an irreversible change. 23andMe: account and sample choices

If deletion is the chosen outcome

23andMe's U.S. statement puts account deletion in Account Settings, says it opts the account out of research and discards the sample, and warns that the process cannot be reversed. It retains legally required information and limited deletion records. Its linked detailed closure help was inaccessible during this check, so this guide does not claim an exact confirmation-screen or email workflow. 23andMe: data, sharing and retention

For Ancestry, select the owned or managed test in DNA settings. At the bottom, review Delete DNA Test Results And Revoke Consent to Processing. The documented confirmation asks for the account password and uses Delete Test Results and Revoke Consent. Do not confirm until the permanent loss of results and downloads is understood. Ancestry: delete DNA results

Ancestry's policy provides a separate Member Services route to destroy biological samples. It describes a thirty-day deletion period for genetic information in listed systems, with limits for active/completed research, backups, laboratory duties and other lawful retention. It also cannot remove copies already retained by other users. Ancestry: data and deletion limits

Handle any downloaded copy as sensitive information

Ancestry's terms say a downloaded DNA file is outside its security measures and the downloader is responsible for protecting it. Review any separate service before uploading that file elsewhere. Its terms also describe withdrawing biobanking consent and destroying the sample and extracted DNA. These are company commitments, not verification that a particular request has finished. Ancestry: samples and downloaded copies

If a medical-record connection was used, review that service separately. The dated 23andMe/HealthEx announcement describes a consent flow and stop-sharing/delete choices through HealthEx. It does not establish that revoking one connection erases information already received by every other organization. 23andMe: medical-record connection announcement