Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →23andMe filed voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions on March 23, 2025, and co-founder Anne Wojcicki resigned as CEO the same day. She remained involved as a board member and potential bidder, while Chief Financial and Accounting Officer Joe Selsavage became interim CEO.
The bankruptcy did not result in an immediate shutdown. After a court-supervised sale process, TTAM Research Institute—a nonprofit founded and led by Wojcicki—acquired substantially all of 23andMe’s operating assets for $305 million. The former corporate entities were later renamed Chrome Holding Co. and ChromeCo, Inc. As of August 16, 2026, the key issues for customers are genetic-data protections, account and research choices, and claims arising from the 2023 data breach.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
What happened on March 23, 2025?
23andMe Holding Co. and several subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. The filing launched a court-supervised process to sell substantially all of the company’s assets and maximize value for stakeholders.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWojcicki resigned as chief executive officer effective immediately. That did not mean she left the business entirely: she remained on the board at the time and sought to participate as an independent bidder. Her resignation helped separate her role as a potential buyer from the company’s management.
#1 Best Overall
- MAP YOUR ORIGINS ACROSS 5,000+ REGIONS: Ancestry Composition breaks down your ethnicity across 5,000+ geographic regions worldwide, the most detailed ancestry breakdown of any consumer DNA service. Ancestry Timeline estimates how many generations ago your most recent ancestor from each population lived.
- FIND LIVING RELATIVES: Opt in to DNA Relatives to see up to 1,500 people in the 23andMe database who share DNA with you, from close family to distant cousins, and message them directly. Your Family Tree builds itself automatically based on your DNA.
- DISCOVER WHAT MAKES YOU UNIQUE: See how your DNA may influence physical features, sensory preferences, and habits across 30+ traits, including cilantro taste aversion to hair texture to deep sleep.
- TRACE ANCIENT MIGRATIONS: Maternal and Paternal Haplogroup reports follow your ancestors' migration paths across continents over thousands of years (paternal haplogroup requires a Y chromosome). Find out how much of your ancestry can be traced back to the Neanderthals.
- PRIVATE BY DESIGN: Your DNA data is encrypted, protected, and always under your control. Enhanced security measures are implemented to keep your information safe. Subject to 23andMe’s Terms of Service and Privacy Statement at 23andMe online.
Joe Selsavage, then the company’s Chief Financial and Accounting Officer, became interim CEO.
Chapter 11 does not automatically mean that a company closes its websites, stops serving customers, or liquidates overnight. In this case, however, the filing was presented primarily as a structured sale and restructuring process rather than a routine reorganization in which the same public company would simply continue operating unchanged. 23andMe’s bankruptcy announcement and related court filings described the need to preserve value while addressing financial and legal pressures.
Why did 23andMe file for bankruptcy?
The bankruptcy record points to a combination of problems, not one single cause. The company cited inflation and broader operating pressures, declining business performance, litigation and potential liabilities connected with the 2023 data breach, and the need for a structured process to maximize value.
There was also a difficult underlying business model. Consumer DNA testing generally involves a large initial purchase but limited repeat purchasing. That makes it difficult to generate recurring revenue from kits alone. 23andMe’s longer-term strategy depended partly on converting a large genetic database into value through research services, partnerships, and pharmaceutical opportunities.
Analysts and contemporaneous coverage also pointed to weakening demand, cost reductions, falling market value, and continuing difficulty making the consumer-genetics business profitable. Privacy concerns after the breach further damaged customer trust. Those strategic explanations provide context, but they should not be confused with a court finding that the breach alone caused the bankruptcy.
In practical terms, 23andMe was trying to reduce costs and explore strategic alternatives while facing limited liquidity, legal exposure, and an uncertain path to sustainable growth. Chapter 11 gave it a court-supervised mechanism for selling the operating business rather than attempting to negotiate an ordinary private transaction under mounting pressure.
The bankruptcy court’s opinion discusses the filing context. Contemporaneous analysis from Axios provides additional business-model context.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #2
- REVIEW IMPORTANT TEST INFO: There is a lot to consider with genetic testing. Before purchasing, review important information about Genetic Health Risk*, Carrier Status*, and Pharmacogenetics** reports at 23andme. org/test-info and 23andme. org/test-info/pharmacogenetics. A portion of your purchase may be eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement***.
- UNDERSTAND YOUR GENETIC HEALTH: Receive 160+ personalized genetic reports, including 50+ Conditions* and wellness reports. Get insights into heart health, metabolic health, mental health, and more. You choose whether to view certain reports.
- TRACK HEALTH GOALS: Health Tracks(SM) show how everyday choices may shape your health over time. Opt in to the Family Health History Tree to input and track information to share with your healthcare provider.
- PLAN AHEAD WITH 45+ CARRIER STATUS REPORTS*: Find out whether you carry a genetic variant for inherited conditions across categories like blood, lung, and hearing health, information you can bring to family planning conversations with your healthcare provider.
- LEARN HOW YOUR BODY MAY RESPOND: FDA-authorized pharmacogenetics reports show how your DNA may impact the way your body processes certain medications**, including some used in heart health and mental health care. Talk to your healthcare provider before making any medication changes.
Why did Anne Wojcicki step down?
Wojcicki stepped down as CEO because she wanted to pursue a bid for the company’s assets independently. Remaining CEO while bidding for the business could have created a conflict between her duties as an executive and her interests as a prospective purchaser.
The distinction matters:
- Wojcicki was no longer CEO after March 23, 2025.
- She remained involved with the company’s board at the time of the filing.
- She did not personally buy the old public company.
- TTAM Research Institute, a nonprofit public benefit corporation founded and led by Wojcicki, ultimately acquired the operating assets.
It is therefore imprecise to say simply that “Wojcicki bought 23andMe.” A more accurate description is that TTAM won the court-supervised sale, with Wojcicki continuing to play a central role in the acquiring organization.
How the bankruptcy sale unfolded
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| October 6, 2023 | 23andMe announced a cyberattack that became the basis for extensive litigation. |
| March 23, 2025 | 23andMe filed Chapter 11 petitions, and Wojcicki resigned as CEO. |
| Spring 2025 | The company began a court-supervised asset-sale process. |
| May 2025 | Regeneron agreed to a proposed transaction reportedly valued at about $256 million. |
| June 13, 2025 | 23andMe announced a definitive $305 million agreement with TTAM. |
| June 30, 2025 | The court approved the TTAM sale. |
| July 14, 2025 | TTAM announced that it had completed the acquisition of substantially all operating assets. |
| After the sale | The former debtor entities were renamed Chrome Holding Co. and ChromeCo, Inc. |
Regeneron was an earlier bidder, not the final buyer. TTAM’s $305 million transaction exceeded the earlier proposed Regeneron deal and included the principal Personal Genome Service, Research Services, and Lemonaid Health operations.
The sale documents included privacy commitments. The transaction therefore was not a simple transfer in which customer information became unrestricted property of an unrelated drug company. At the same time, privacy commitments do not make genetic data risk-free or eliminate every legal, cybersecurity, insider-access, or future-transfer concern.
See the TTAM sale agreement and the SEC filing announcing completion.
Is 23andMe still in business?
The answer depends on what “23andMe” means.
The operating businesses and customer-facing services did not simply disappear. They were transferred to TTAM, which acquired substantially all of the operating assets. But the original public-company structure changed materially. The former debtor entities were renamed Chrome Holding Co. and ChromeCo, Inc., and the old public-company securities should not be treated as ownership in TTAM’s post-sale operating business.
The asset sale also did not make every liability disappear. Bankruptcy claims, breach litigation, regulatory matters, and settlement obligations continued after the operating-asset transaction. The sale’s completion and the resolution of every related legal issue are separate questions.
Rank #3
- REVIEW IMPORTANT TEST INFO: There is a lot to consider with genetic testing. Before purchasing, review important information about Genetic Health Risk* and Carrier Status* reports at 23andme. org/test-info. A portion of your purchase may be eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement***.
- UNDERSTAND YOUR GENETIC HEALTH: Get 10+ Condition reports* that show whether you have genetic variants associated with a higher risk of certain conditions. Includes FDA-authorized reports, and you choose whether to view certain reports.
- PLAN AHEAD WITH 45+ CARRIER STATUS REPORTS*: Discover if you carry a genetic variant for inherited conditions across categories like blood, lung, and hearing health, information you can bring to family planning conversations with your healthcare provider.
- OPTIMIZE YOUR DAILY WELLNESS: See how your genes may influence lifestyle factors like deep sleep, lactose intolerance, genetic weight, and muscle composition.
- MAP YOUR ORIGINS ACROSS 5,000+ REGIONS: Explore your Ancestry Composition, trace maternal and paternal haplogroups (paternal requires a Y chromosome), and dig into your Neanderthal Ancestry. Opt in to find up to 1,500 DNA Relatives, and your Family Tree builds itself automatically.
What happened to customer DNA and account data?
Customer genetic data was among the assets transferred through the bankruptcy sale. The transaction did not automatically erase every customer’s information, and it did not mean that all customer DNA was simply sold to a pharmaceutical company.
TTAM said it would honor 23andMe’s existing privacy policies and add privacy safeguards. It also committed to customer choice and transparency concerning data and research participation. The court-approved sale terms preserved customers’ ability to request deletion of their accounts and data, subject to the limits described in the applicable policies and legal requirements.
Those protections are important, but they are not a guarantee that genetic information can never be exposed or used. Genetic data can carry continuing risks involving cybersecurity, unauthorized access, legal process, research records, and any future transaction or change in control.
Deletion is not necessarily retroactive
Deleting an account is not the same as proving that every copy or derivative record has vanished. Depending on the data and the applicable policy, deletion may not undo information already used in completed research, data that must be retained for legal or regulatory reasons, security records, or information that has already been disclosed or copied.
Research participation, raw genotype data, health reports, account information, and stored saliva samples may also be governed by different controls. Customers should review research-consent settings separately rather than assuming that deleting an account automatically withdraws every research permission.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteWhat customers should do now
- Use the official account and support channels. Log in through the company’s official website if access remains available. Avoid links in unsolicited messages.
- Review privacy and research settings. Check whether you still want to participate in research and whether your preferences for data use remain appropriate.
- Request deletion if you no longer want the service. Follow the current official process for deleting account and genetic data.
- Request destruction of a stored saliva sample, where applicable. Treat this as a separate request if the current controls distinguish sample storage from digital data.
- Keep evidence. Save confirmation emails, case numbers, and screenshots of deletion, consent, or sample-destruction requests.
- Secure the account. Change a reused password and enable multifactor authentication if the account offers it.
- Check breach information only through the official settlement site. The court-authorized U.S. site is 23andmedatasettlement.com. Be cautious with emails requesting payment, identity documents, passwords, or a fee to submit a claim.
- Do not assume deletion determines settlement eligibility. People who deleted accounts before the bankruptcy should preserve proof of the request, but deletion alone does not establish entitlement to compensation.
The U.S. settlement administrator stated that the claim deadline was February 17, 2026. As of August 16, 2026, that deadline had passed; readers should not treat it as an open opportunity to file unless the official administrator announces an extension. The settlement site stated that people who did nothing would not receive the cash reimbursement or statutory cash benefit, although eligible people could retain an opportunity to enroll in five years of privacy and genetic-monitoring services.
Customers outside the United States may be covered by different proceedings. Canadian customers, for example, had a separate court-approved settlement process. Always check the official notice for the relevant country and class.
Rank #4
- Discover your ancestry and find relatives you never knew existed on both your maternal and paternal sides.
- Get a detailed ethnicity breakdown with the most comprehensive list of ethnicities in the industry: 42 regions, including 7 East Asian regions.
- Simple DNA test kit with a cheek swab - takes only 2 minutes to complete.
- Huge global database enables you to get worldwide DNA Matches.
- Affordable price - includes access to test results. Uses the highest technological standards.
What role did the 2023 data breach play?
23andMe announced the cyberattack on October 6, 2023. The incident became both a major trust problem and a source of litigation and bankruptcy claims.
The figures used in public materials are not interchangeable:
- The U.S. federal settlement materials refer to approximately 6.4 million U.S. residents in the litigation class.
- A multistate attorneys-general announcement refers to approximately 6.9 million customers worldwide.
Those figures describe different populations and should not be presented as though they were competing estimates of the same group.
On January 30, 2026, the court granted final approval of the U.S. data-breach settlement, according to the authorized settlement website. On July 7, 2026, that site said the court approved a final settlement amount of $46.75 million, with payments expected in September 2026. Payment amounts and eligibility were not universal; they depended on the applicable settlement terms and claim requirements.
Separately, on July 14, 2026, a coalition of 42 attorneys general announced a settlement addressing bankruptcy claims and data-security obligations, including continuing deletion rights, security-risk analysis, and an advisory board.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Chrome Holding Co. in May 2026, alleging failures to protect customer data and respond appropriately to known vulnerabilities. Those are allegations in a lawsuit, not adjudicated facts.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The private class settlement, multistate attorneys-general settlement, bankruptcy case, and California lawsuit are related by subject matter but legally distinct proceedings. A person’s status in one does not automatically answer their status in another.
Best Value
- TOP-SELLING CONSUMER DNA TEST: From your origins in over 3,600 places around the world to the most connections to living relatives, no other DNA test kit delivers an experience as unique and interactive as AncestryDNA.
- YOUR DATA, YOUR CONTROL: We give you full control over your genetic information. You decide what to share, and with whom.
- A FEW SIMPLE STEPS: Simply activate your DNA kit online and return your saliva sample in the prepaid package to our state-of-the-art lab. Your results will be available online in roughly six weeks.
- ORIGINS AND INHERITANCE: AncestryDNA provides more precise ancestral origins with greater geographic detail. Our innovative SideView technology takes your results even further by showing your origins and matches by parental side. *Some DNA features require an Ancestry subscription.
- BUILD YOUR FAMILY TREE: Combine what you learn from your DNA results with an Ancestry subscription and gain access to millions of family trees and the world's largest collection of online family history records. *Access to record collections varies depending on subscription level.
See the U.S. settlement FAQ, the Minnesota attorneys-general announcement, and the California lawsuit announcement.
What does the bankruptcy mean for shareholders?
The operating assets and the old company’s stock are separate things.
When substantially all operating assets move to a buyer, the old holding company’s securities do not automatically become shares in the buyer. The 23andMe public-company structure moved from Nasdaq-era trading into a bankruptcy context, and securities associated with the old entity should not be confused with ownership in TTAM or the post-sale operating business.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
In a Chapter 11 asset sale, creditors generally have priority over common equity holders. Common shareholders may receive little or nothing if the company’s assets and available proceeds are insufficient to satisfy secured claims, administrative expenses, and other higher-priority obligations. The exact result depends on the confirmed plan, claims, distributions, and court records.
A ticker symbol, if it continues to appear on an over-the-counter market or in a brokerage account, is not proof that it represents an ownership stake in TTAM. Investors should rely on current court and SEC filings rather than assume that the old equity survived in its original form. This is not investment advice.
Relevant filings include the company’s SEC quarterly report discussing the bankruptcy and bids and its investor filing concerning the bankruptcy-era securities.
If you are considering an alternative DNA-testing service
The bankruptcy may prompt customers to look at AncestryDNA, MyHeritage DNA, FamilyTreeDNA, or Living DNA. The right comparison is not simply which company has avoided bankruptcy. Financial stability and data governance are separate questions.
Before sending another company a saliva sample, compare:
- Whether the service requires a subscription for key features.
- The size and geographic reach of its genealogy and relative-matching database.
- Health-report availability and medical disclaimers.
- Whether research participation is optional and how consent can be withdrawn.
- How raw genotype data, reports, and saliva samples are stored and deleted.
- What happens to data in a merger, acquisition, bankruptcy, or other change of control.
- Whether the company allows account security features such as multifactor authentication.
Current prices, bundles, subscription terms, and regional availability change frequently and should be checked on each provider’s official checkout and privacy pages. No rival should be recommended solely because it has not filed for bankruptcy.
Bottom line
23andMe did file Chapter 11 and Anne Wojcicki did step down as CEO on March 23, 2025. But the business was not simply abandoned: TTAM Research Institute, founded and led by Wojcicki, acquired substantially all operating assets for $305 million in July 2025. By August 2026, the central customer question was no longer whether 23andMe would find a buyer, but how transferred genetic data would be protected and how the breach-related claims and obligations would be resolved.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
