Consumer Alert: AG advises Vermonters on deleting data in 23andMe bankruptcy
March 28, 2025 | By Waterbury Roundabout Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark this week issued a consumer alert to advise Vermonters on protecting their personal data in the wake of 23andMe’s recent bankruptcy filing.
On Monday, 23andMe announced that it has filed to begin Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court protection. 23andMe is a direct-to consumer genetic testing company that collects and analyzes genetic information and health data. It announced that it “intends to continue operating its business in the ordinary course through the sale process” and that there would be “no changes to the way [it] stores, manages, or protects customer data.”
However, the bankruptcy and 23andMe's plan to “sell substantially” all of its assets raises the risk that the personal data and other private information of individuals who used 23andMe would be sold in the bankruptcy process. The attorney general wants Vermonters to know what actions they can take to ensure that 23andMe deletes their personal data rather than selling it.
“I urge all Vermonters to take these steps immediately to protect their personal data,” Clark said. “This latest development is yet another reminder of how under-protected our sensitive data is without a comprehensive data privacy law.”
Vermonters can demand that 23andMe delete their data, destroy any test samples they provided to the company, and revoke permissions for the use of their genetic data using the following steps:
To Delete Data from 23andMe
Log into your 23andMe account on their website.
Go to the “Settings” section of your profile.
Scroll to a section labeled “23andMe Data” at the bottom of the page.
Click “View” next to “23andMe Data”
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.
Scroll to the “Delete Data” section.
Click “Permanently Delete Data.”
Confirm your request: You’ll receive an email from 23andMe. Follow the link in the email to confirm your deletion request.
Note: 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.”
Also, 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.”
For assistance with requesting the deletion of personal data by 23andMe, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Assistance Program at 1-800-649-2424 or by email at AGO.CAP@vermont.gov.