DNA testing services handle your most personal data: your genetic information. We analyzed the terms of service from leading providers to help you understand data ownership, research consent, law enforcement access, and long-term storage practices.
DNA testing has become increasingly popular for ancestry research and health insights, but these services collect uniquely sensitive data. Your genetic information can reveal health predispositions, family secrets, and can potentially identify you and your relatives. The terms governing this data have profound implications including research use, third-party sharing, law enforcement access, and what happens to your sample and data long-term. This category receives particularly critical scrutiny due to the irreversible nature of genetic disclosure.
| Service | Score | Grade | Research Consent | Data Deletion |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
LivingDNA
Best in Category
|
62 | B- | Opt-in | Available |
| Ancestry | 50 | C | Opt-in | Complex process |
| MyHeritage | 45 | C- | Opt-in | Available |
|
23andMe
Lowest in Category
|
35 | D+ | Pre-checked | Partial only |
UK-based service with clearer consent processes. Better GDPR alignment but still raises data retention concerns.
Read Full Review →Largest genealogy database. Complex deletion process and indefinite data retention raise concerns.
Read Full Review →Genealogy-focused service with growing DNA database. Security concerns after past data breach.
Read Full Review →Major privacy concerns including pharma partnerships, research defaults, and recent financial troubles affecting data security.
Read Full Review →Our analysis applies heightened scrutiny to DNA testing services due to the uniquely sensitive nature of genetic data. We evaluate research consent practices, law enforcement access policies, data deletion capabilities, third-party sharing, sample retention policies, and transparency about how genetic data may be used. The irreversible nature of sharing genetic information means even temporary exposure has permanent implications.