[mrweasel]

The same people believed crypto-currency, infinite growth, social media and many other things. At least 23andMe provided actual value, to some at least.

What I find strange is that 23andMe did not automatically delete data after 30 days, or at the very least took it offline, only to be available on request. Notify people that their results are available and inform them that the data will be available for 30 days after the first download. This is potentially really sensitive data and based on 23andMe's response, they seem to be aware of that fact. So why would they keep the data around? That seem fairly irresponsible and potentially dangerous to the company.

[geoelectric]

Their service is selling you a dashboard over your genetic data that’s continually updated for new gene correlation studies and ancestry matches. It’s not really the one and done “Promethease” style analysis service you’re thinking of.

[vik0]

What actual value did 23andMe and similar services offer in the first place?

Quenching someone's curiosity about where their ancestors are from? Do we even know how accurate it is at doing that?

[dekhn]

If you go back in time, 23andMe was founded to collect genetic data with the goal of using that data to improve the health condition of humanity.

Over time it became clear that 23andMe's data set had limited predictive ability for health for a number of technical reasons (previously, dahinds, one of their statistical geneticists, has defended the quality of their predictions on HN, you can search for his comments. I suspect he can no longer comment on HN because of 23&Me's security debacle).

However, around that same time, 23&Me's dataset turned out to be excellent for ancestry analysis. It's generally considered fairly accurate (not just 23&Me- the entire process of ancestry through snp genotyping workings really well).

I never did 23&Me but my dad did- and he learned he has children all around the US (half brothers and sisters of mine) from some samples he provided some 45+ years ago. Both my dad and those people gained value from making that connection. It's interesting because my dad had already done most of the paper research (including going to SLC to visit the Mormon archives) to identify our obvious ancestors, and these relatives would never have shown up.

[jstarfish]

Ancestry data, but also health markers. I.e. you're probably going to get macular degeneration, Tay-Sachs and cervical cancer.

Once I enabled the social graph thing I was immediately hounded by distant relatives who I assume want to chop me up for parts.

> Do we even know how accurate it is at doing that?

The police have closed a few cold murder cases based on adjacency (once Parabon got their hands on samples), so it must be pretty accurate.

Anecdotally, my profile told a radically different story about our ancestry than my family's vague lore led me to believe. 23andMe's data made way more sense.

[kelthan]

I was adopted. I have no idea who my biological parents were or what genetic risks I might have inherited from them. When the doctor asks "Has anyone in your family ever had <fill in the blank>?" I have no answer to those questions without a genomic test.

[cookie_monsta]

I just wanted to confirm my connection to royalty because I've always felt, y'know... special

[BobaFloutist]

Locating secret/hidden family is kinda nice.

[drdaeman]

They will NOT delete your data even if you request a full account deletion, so surely they aren't interested in voluntarily deleting it.

It's all in the fine print. The labs will keep the genetic information as well as at least your DOB and sex for at least 10 years (CLIA requirements), and 23andMe will keep your identifying information (such as your email address) and account deletion request ID for some undefined period of time. Yes, this will remove some links (and birthday paradox works in user's favor), but this is certainly not a full and complete removal.