23andMe
23andMe Terms of Service, Privacy Statement & Consumer Health Data Privacy Policy
23andMe is a consumer genetic testing service that analyzes DNA samples submitted by users to provide ancestry, health, and trait reports, and offers optional participation in genetic research.
Analyzed August 12, 2026
Key findings
Summary
23andMe's terms include a broad, perpetual, irrevocable license to user-submitted content, mandatory arbitration with a class action waiver (though with a 30-day opt-out and small claims carveout), broad discretionary termination rights, and disclosed use of sensitive data (including genetic and health information) for cross-context behavioral advertising that may constitute a data 'sale' under state privacy laws. The privacy materials emphasize user consent controls and security certifications, but the underlying legal terms shift significant risk to users regarding content licensing, dispute resolution, and account termination.
Category Breakdown
23andMe collects sensitive genetic, health, biometric, and behavioral data, and explicitly permits cross-context behavioral advertising using identifiers and geolocation data.
From: CONSUMER HEALTH DATA PRIVACY POLICYWe let advertising providers collect identifiers (IP addresses, cookie IDs, and mobile IDs), activity data (browsing, clicks, app usage), device data, and geolocation data through our sites and apps when you use our online service.View source document
The company acknowledges that use of cookies for cross-context behavioral advertising may constitute a 'sale' or 'sharing' of personal information under CCPA, with opt-out available via cookie settings and GPC signals.
From: CONSUMER HEALTH DATA PRIVACY POLICYUnder the CCPA, this use of your data for cross-context behavioral advertising may constitute a “sale” or “sharing” of personal information.View source document
Users grant 23andMe a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to User Content, including the right to make it available to other companies with which 23andMe has relationships.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEYou give 23andMe, its affiliated companies, sublicensees and successors and assignees a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to host, reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, store, publicly display, distribute, reproduce, edit, reformat, and create derivative works from any User Content that you submit, post, or display on or through the Services.View source document
23andMe may terminate accounts at its sole discretion for a variety of business reasons, including commercial non-viability, without liability to the user and no stated appeal process.
From: TERMS OF SERVICEthe provision of the Services to you by 23andMe is, in 23andMe’s opinion, no longer commercially viable... You acknowledge and agree that 23andMe shall not be liable to you or any third party for any termination of your access to the ServicesView source document
Mandatory binding arbitration via JAMS/NAM is required, paired with a class action waiver, though a 30-day opt-out and small claims carveout exist, and a one-year claim limitation period applies.
From: TERMS OF SERVICETO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE LAW, YOU AND WE AGREE THAT EACH PARTY MAY BRING DISPUTES AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY ONLY IN AN INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, AND NOT AS A CLASS ACTION OR COLLECTIVE ACTION OR CLASS ARBITRATION.View source document
The service discloses a strict no-refund policy for failed sample processing after the second attempt, with limited exceptions, and no refunds generally except as required by law.
From: TERMS OF SERVICENo Refunds. Except as may be required by applicable law, payments are non-refundable and there are no refunds or credits for partially used services.View source document