Interactive tool

Genetic Privacy Comparison

Seven privacy criteria, every major DNA test company. Per-criterion factual chips rather than a composite score. The reader weighs each chip against their own situation.

Privacy policies change. The chips below summarize each company's current public stance as of 2026-05-26. Confirm the policy on the merchant's own site before relying on any of this for a buying decision.

Companies to compare

Focus on a criterion

AncestryDNA

Last verified: 2026-05 · policy

Can you delete your data?
FavorableYes (account + DNA results, separate requests)source
Is the sample destroyed on request?
FavorableYes, on requestsource
Research-sharing default
FavorableOpt-in (off by default)source
Law-enforcement stance
FavorableResists; requires valid legal process; publishes transparency reportsource
Breach history
FavorableNo major DNA-data breach reported
Corporate stability
NeutralPrivate equity owned (Blackstone since 2020); stable
Data storage jurisdiction
NeutralUnited States (Utah datacenters)

23andMe

Last verified: 2026-05 · policy

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Can you delete your data?
FavorableYes (account + DNA results, separate requests)source
Is the sample destroyed on request?
FavorableYes, on requestsource
Research-sharing default
FavorableOpt-in (separate from main TOS)source
Law-enforcement stance
FavorableResists; requires warrant or subpoena; publishes transparency reportsource
Breach history
CautionOctober 2023 credential-stuffing breach affected ~6.9M users
Corporate stability
CautionChapter 11 (March 2025); assets sold to TTAM Research Institute mid-2025; service continues under new ownership
Data storage jurisdiction
NeutralUnited States

MyHeritage DNA

Last verified: 2026-05 · policy

Can you delete your data?
FavorableYes (kit + account, separate requests)source
Is the sample destroyed on request?
FavorableYes, on requestsource
Research-sharing default
FavorableOpt-in
Law-enforcement stance
FavorableRequires valid legal process; transparency report published
Breach history
Caution2018 breach exposed ~92M user accounts (emails/hashed passwords; DNA data not exfiltrated)
Corporate stability
NeutralAcquired by Francisco Partners (2021); stable
Data storage jurisdiction
NeutralIsrael (primary) with US operations

FamilyTreeDNA

Last verified: 2026-05 · policy

Can you delete your data?
FavorableYessource
Is the sample destroyed on request?
FavorableYes, on requestsource
Research-sharing default
FavorableOpt-in
Law-enforcement stance
CautionHas cooperated with law enforcement under the FBI's investigative-genealogy program; opt-out available
Breach history
FavorableNo major DNA-data breach reported
Corporate stability
NeutralPrivately held; stable
Data storage jurisdiction
NeutralUnited States (Houston, TX)

Why no overall score?

We deliberately do not produce a single privacy score. A composite number hides the weights we used to compute it and invites disputes that no one wins. We prefer to show each fact separately and let you weight it against your own situation. Read the full pillar at Genetic Data Privacy for the background behind every chip above.

For the full background on every chip above, read the Genetic Data Privacy pillar. For the 23andMe situation specifically, see the bankruptcy explainer and the TTAM data sale.