Data as of Aug 25, 2026 · Based on 275 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
For genetic testing with raw data access and strong privacy protections, providers such as Sequencing.com,
MyHeritage, and
Living DNA are recommended. These companies explicitly state they do not sell or license user data to third parties. While some services maintain strict privacy, users should always review specific consent settings, as some firms offer optional research participation or may be subject to legal requirements like court orders.
Brands AI recommends here
This service is a privacy-first option that uses high security standards like HIPAA compliance. It allows users to download raw data and delete their records, making it a strong fit for those prioritized on data control and security.
Major direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies do not sell your individual, identifiable raw DNA data to third parties (such as insurance companies, employers, or marketers). Legally compliant companies explicitly state in their privacy policies that they will not hand over or sell your individual genetic data without your explicit consent.
However, "not selling data" is different from how they handle aggregated/anonymized research or law enforcement requests. Most major providers do allow you to download your raw DNA file, but their privacy frameworks differ significantly.
Major Providers with Raw Data Access & Strict No-Sale Policies
Crucial Distinctions to Keep in Mind
If you're deciding on a provider, would you prefer a company focused on deep health/whole-genome sequencing (like Nebula) or standard ancestry and genealogy tracking (like AncestryDNA or 23andMe)? I can also help you review opt-out settings for research and law enforcement for any specific company.
Yes. Based on the companies’ current privacy statements and data-access policies, there are a few that fit your criteria reasonably well. The important caveat is that “does not sell data” does not necessarily mean “never shares data with any third party”—service providers, legally compelled disclosures, and explicitly authorized research can still be exceptions.
| Company | Raw DNA access | Says it does not sell user/genetic data? | Third-party sharing |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyHeritage | Yes — downloadable raw genotype file | Yes — says it will never sell or license personal/genetic data | Optional research sharing; service/legal exceptions |
| Sequencing.com | Yes — very extensive (FASTQ, BAM, VCF) | Yes — says it does not sell, rent, lease, or give away data | Optional apps/reports; legal exceptions |
| Nebula Genomics / DNA Complete | Yes — VCF; CRAM/FASTQ by request depending on product | Yes — says it will never sell personal information | Third-party service providers and research with consent; de-identified research may be used |
| Living DNA | Yes — autosomal, mtDNA and Y-DNA | Privacy language is less unambiguous than the three above | I'd want to review its current full privacy policy before treating it as a strict “no third-party sharing” option |
MyHeritage explicitly says it has never licensed or sold user data and has committed to never doing so without explicit consent. Its newer privacy documentation also says it will never sell or license personal and genetic data to third parties.
You can download your raw DNA data directly from your account.
There is an important qualification: MyHeritage offers optional individual-data sharing with academic and pharmaceutical research partners. You can decline this and change the setting later.
Verdict: Probably the best choice if you primarily want ancestry + DNA matching + raw-data ownership while avoiding commercial sale of your data.
Sequencing.com is particularly interesting if by “raw DNA data” you mean actual sequencing data, rather than the relatively small SNP file produced by most ancestry tests.
Its whole-genome sequencing products provide downloadable FASTQ, BAM and VCF files.
Its current Privacy Forever policy states that it does not sell your data, including DNA data, and says you retain ownership and can download or delete it.
It also says that individual-level data isn't shared with third parties without your explicit consent. There is an important exception when you voluntarily use an app/report that needs access to some of your DNA.
Verdict: My top choice if your priority is maximum control and a genuinely comprehensive raw genome.
Nebula Genomics advertises itself as never selling data for its own profit and says users retain control of their genomic data.
Its terms indicate that users can download a VCF, while CRAM/FASTQ access may require a request and potentially a transfer fee depending on the product.
The caveat is that Nebula can use third-party companies for DNA extraction, sequencing and analysis. Its terms say this is limited to what's necessary to provide the service. Research involving identifiable data requires consent, while de-identified data can potentially be used for research without additional consent.
Verdict: A good privacy-oriented WGS option, but its definition of “not selling your data” shouldn't be confused with “no third party ever processes my DNA.”
I would be particularly cautious about choosing a company merely because it says “we don't sell your genetic information.” Look for these additional protections:
For example, 23andMe does provide raw-data downloads, but I would not put it in the same privacy-first category as the companies above. Its current policy says it doesn't sell genetic information without explicit consent, but it also describes disclosures involving service providers, ownership changes, affiliates, and legally required disclosures.
If your priorities are raw DNA access + no sale of your data, I'd rank them:
One particularly important distinction: “doesn't sell your data” ≠ “your DNA never leaves the company.” If you want, I can also compare these companies' privacy policies line-by-line, including law-enforcement access, pharmaceutical research, acquisition/merger clauses, biological-sample destruction, deletion rights, and whether your genetic data can be re-identified.
You can download your raw DNA data directly from your account.
There is an important qualification: MyHeritage offers optional individual-data sharing with academic and pharmaceutical research partners. You can decline this and change the setting later.
Verdict: Probably the best choice if you primarily want ancestry + DNA matching + raw-data ownership while avoiding commercial sale of your data.
Sequencing.com is particularly interesting if by “raw DNA data” you mean actual sequencing data, rather than the relatively small SNP file produced by most ancestry tests.
Its whole-genome sequencing products provide downloadable FASTQ, BAM and VCF files.
Its current Privacy Forever policy states that it does not sell your data, including DNA data, and says you retain ownership and can download or delete it.
It also says that individual-level data isn't shared with third parties without your explicit consent. There is an important exception when you voluntarily use an app/report that needs access to some of your DNA.
Verdict: My top choice if your priority is maximum control and a genuinely comprehensive raw genome.
Nebula Genomics advertises itself as never selling data for its own profit and says users retain control of their genomic data.
Its terms indicate that users can download a VCF, while CRAM/FASTQ access may require a request and potentially a transfer fee depending on the product.
The caveat is that Nebula can use third-party companies for DNA extraction, sequencing and analysis. Its terms say this is limited to what's necessary to provide the service. Research involving identifiable data requires consent, while de-identified data can potentially be used for research without additional consent.
Verdict: A good privacy-oriented WGS option, but its definition of “not selling your data” shouldn't be confused with “no third party ever processes my DNA.”
Finding a direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing company that both allows you to download your raw data and explicitly promises not to sell or monetize your genetic data requires looking closely at their privacy policies. Major legacy companies (like 23andMe or AncestryDNA) historically allowed raw data downloads, but have faced scrutiny or policy changes regarding data sharing, research opt-ins, and corporate restructuring.
The following platforms provide raw data access while maintaining strict "do not sell" privacy commitments:
Note: Popular providers like AncestryDNA allow you to download your raw DNA data, but their privacy policies do permit anonymized data usage for internal or partnered scientific research unless you actively opt out or delete your account. If absolute privacy from third-party data aggregation is your top priority, dedicated platforms with strict non-commercial models like Sequencing.com offer the tightest guarantees.
If you'd like, I can help you with:
Yes. Based on the companies’ current privacy statements, there are a few consumer DNA-testing companies that come relatively close to your criteria:
| Company | Raw DNA download | Says it does not sell user/genetic data | Research sharing | My take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MyHeritage DNA | ✅ Yes | ✅ Explicitly says it has never sold or licensed user/genetic data | Opt-in | Best overall fit |
| FamilyTreeDNA | ✅ Yes | ✅ Says it will never sell DNA to third parties | Consent-based, with some law-enforcement exceptions | Strong fit |
| Nebula Genomics / DNA Complete | ✅ Yes / whole-genome-oriented | ✅ Says it doesn't sell personal information for third-party advertising; its privacy policy also restricts genetic-data disclosure | Opt-in for identifiable genetic-data research; de-identified data may be used/shared | Best for genomic-data ownership/privacy |
MyHeritage is probably the clearest match.
MyHeritage currently states that it "will never sell or license personal data and genetic data to any third party." It also says that you own your DNA sample and that it will only process it with your explicit consent.
It provides access to your raw DNA data, and its privacy page says only you have access to that raw data and that you can permanently delete your data.
One important nuance: MyHeritage does offer optional research programs. You can separately consent to de-identified/aggregated research and to sharing de-identified genetic data with academic and pharmaceutical research partners.
FamilyTreeDNA is another strong choice.
FamilyTreeDNA explicitly says, "we will never sell your DNA to third parties." It also says your raw data is held behind your account credentials and that you can request deletion of your data and destruction of your DNA sample.
Its terms specifically acknowledge that you own your genetic data and allow you to download your Raw DNA Data.
There are nevertheless exceptions worth knowing about: information can be disclosed with your explicit consent or when legally required, such as through a valid subpoena or court order.
Nebula Genomics is particularly interesting if having the most complete raw genomic data matters to you rather than just genealogy.
Nebula's current product materials say it will never sell your data for its own profit, and its DNA Complete privacy policy says it does not sell or share personal information for third-party cross-context behavioral advertising.
Its privacy policy is somewhat more complicated than MyHeritage's. Genetic data can be shared with partner laboratories as necessary to provide the service, and research involving identifiable genetic data requires consent. However, Nebula can create and use de-identified/pseudonymized genetic datasets, including for research, subject to its stated policies.
So I would not interpret "doesn't sell data" as "your DNA never leaves the company." Those are different promises.
If your priority is "give me my raw DNA and don't monetize/share my identifiable genetic information," I'd rank them:
One caveat: "does not sell data" does not mean "never shares data with any third party." All three may use laboratories, hosting/IT providers, or other service providers, and all can have legally compelled disclosures. The distinction I'd pay closest attention to is whether the company can use your identifiable genetic information for research, advertising, insurance, pharmaceutical partnerships, or other commercial purposes without your affirmative consent.
If you want, I can also compare these three on raw-data format (23andMe-style SNP file vs. whole genome), ownership, deletion/sample destruction, law-enforcement policy, research sharing, and current pricing.
It provides access to your raw DNA data, and its privacy page says only you have access to that raw data and that you can permanently delete your data.
One important nuance: MyHeritage does offer optional research programs. You can separately consent to de-identified/aggregated research and to sharing de-identified genetic data with academic and pharmaceutical research partners.
FamilyTreeDNA is another strong choice.
FamilyTreeDNA explicitly says, "we will never sell your DNA to third parties." It also says your raw data is held behind your account credentials and that you can request deletion of your data and destruction of your DNA sample.
Its terms specifically acknowledge that you own your genetic data and allow you to download your Raw DNA Data.
There are nevertheless exceptions worth knowing about: information can be disclosed with your explicit consent or when legally required, such as through a valid subpoena or court order.
Nebula Genomics is particularly interesting if having the most complete raw genomic data matters to you rather than just genealogy.
Nebula's current product materials say it will never sell your data for its own profit, and its DNA Complete privacy policy says it does not sell or share personal information for third-party cross-context behavioral advertising.
Its privacy policy is somewhat more complicated than MyHeritage's. Genetic data can be shared with partner laboratories as necessary to provide the service, and research involving identifiable genetic data requires consent. However, Nebula can create and use de-identified/pseudonymized genetic datasets, including for research, subject to its stated policies.
So I would not interpret "doesn't sell data" as "your DNA never leaves the company." Those are different promises.
Finding a direct-to-consumer genetic testing company that both allows you to download your raw DNA and firmly promises never to sell your data requires looking closely at their fine print. Most major commercial legacy companies (like 23andMe or Ancestry) state they do not sell individual-identified data for money, but they do share or monetize anonymized/aggregated data through research partnerships (e.g., with pharmaceutical firms) or subject data to corporate buyouts during bankruptcy proceedings.
The following providers explicitly state they do not sell your data and provide full access to your raw genetic data:
Note: Consumer advocacy groups frequently advise that if you choose to download your raw data file and upload it to free third-party interpretation tools (like GEDmatch or Genomelink), those secondary platforms operate under separate—and often much less regulated—privacy terms.
Would you like help looking into the specific download steps for one of these platforms, or do you want to compare their opt-in research policies in more detail?
Yes. Based on the companies’ current privacy statements and data-access policies, there are several that fit reasonably well. The important caveat is that “does not sell your data” is not the same as “never shares data with any third party”—most companies still use vendors for cloud storage, laboratory processing, payments, etc.
| Company | Raw DNA download | Says it doesn't sell DNA/user data | Third-party sharing | My take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sequencing.com | Yes — FASTQ, BAM, VCF | Yes — says it never sells DNA data | Says DNA data isn't shared with research orgs, pharma, government, or insurers | Strongest privacy + raw-data combination |
| MyHeritage | Yes | Yes — says it never sells, licenses, or shares personal data with third parties | Research only with explicit consent | Excellent for ancestry/genotyping |
| FamilyTreeDNA | Yes | Yes — explicitly says it will never sell DNA to third parties | Some sharing/use is possible with consent and for specified purposes | Good, especially for genealogy |
| Living DNA | Yes — autosomal, mtDNA & Y-DNA | Yes — says “we don't sell your data” | Need to distinguish this from its broader service-provider/data-use provisions | Good option, but read policy carefully |
| Nebula Genomics / DNA Complete | Yes — VCF; CRAM/FASTQ may require a request | Yes — says it never sells personal information | Uses third-party providers for extraction, sequencing, analysis and storage | Excellent raw-data access, but not my strictest privacy pick |
Sequencing.com is particularly notable: its current “Privacy Forever” policy says you own your DNA, it is never sold, and it isn't shared with research organizations, pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, or insurance providers. It also provides raw whole-genome files in FASTQ, BAM and VCF formats.
MyHeritage is one of the clearest choices if you want a conventional ancestry test. It says it has never licensed or sold user data, won't share personal data with third parties, and allows you to download your raw DNA data. It also says research using aggregated/anonymized data requires explicit consent.
FamilyTreeDNA explicitly states that it will never sell your DNA to third parties and allows you to download your raw DNA data. It also lets you request deletion of your genetic data and destruction of your sample. However, its privacy policy permits certain uses/sharing, so I wouldn't interpret “never sell” as “never disclose.”
Living DNA currently advertises both downloadable raw genetic data and a “we don't sell your data” policy. It also allows deletion of your DNA data and raw-data file.
Nebula/DNA Complete is attractive if your priority is whole-genome sequencing rather than an ancestry microarray. It says it never sells personal information and provides genomic data downloads. However, its terms explicitly allow third-party companies to perform DNA extraction, sequencing, analysis, and/or storage, so I'd rank it below Sequencing.com if your definition of privacy is extremely strict.
If by “do not sell user data to third parties” you mean:
“They don't monetize my DNA by selling/licensing it to pharmaceutical companies, advertisers, data brokers, insurers, etc.”
then Sequencing.com, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, Living DNA, and Nebula/DNA Complete are reasonable candidates.
If you mean:
“My DNA never leaves the company's own systems and is never accessible to any third party under any circumstances.”
then none of the major consumer testing companies I found cleanly meets that standard, because laboratory, hosting, analytics, payment, or other service providers can be involved.
I'd shortlist them this way:
One additional option worth knowing about is Genomelink. It's primarily a raw-DNA analysis/upload service rather than a testing company, but it explicitly says it won't use or sell your DNA data for secondary purposes without opt-in consent and allows deletion.
If you tell me whether you're primarily interested in ancestry, health, or full whole-genome sequencing, I can narrow this down to the 2–3 safest choices and compare their privacy policies, raw-data formats, deletion policies, law-enforcement policies, and approximate prices.
Finding a genetic testing service that gives you complete access to your raw data and guarantees they won’t sell or monetize your genetic information is tricky, as many mainstream companies rely on aggregated research partnerships. However, a few providers center their entire model around strict data ownership and privacy.
Dedicated Privacy-First Providers
What to Watch Out For with Popular Alternatives
If you want to narrow this down, let me know:
I can help you pick the right service based on your testing goals and comfort level with data handling.
Yes. Based on the companies’ current published policies, there are several that meet your two core criteria: (1) you can obtain/download raw DNA data, and (2) they state that they do not sell genetic data to third parties. There is an important distinction, though, between not selling data and never sharing it.
| Company | Raw DNA access | Says it does not sell DNA data? | Important caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| MyHeritage DNA | ✅ Download raw DNA | ✅ Explicitly says it will never sell or license genetic data | Optional matching/research features involve sharing; review privacy settings |
| Sequencing.com | ✅ Download raw data/reports | ✅ Says it never sells DNA data | Selected Marketplace reports can receive limited DNA data when you authorize them |
| FamilyTreeDNA | ✅ Download raw DNA | ✅ Says it will never sell DNA to third parties | DNA matching and investigative genetic genealogy can involve sharing/access depending on your settings |
| HomeDNA | ✅ Raw data retained in account and can be destroyed on request | ✅ Says it does not sell testing information | Less transparent/feature-rich than the major genealogy services |
| Variantyx | ✅ Raw sequence data available by request | ✅ Says it does not sell data | Primarily a clinical/genomic-testing service rather than a genealogy company |
MyHeritage explicitly states that personal information, including genetic information, will never be sold or licensed to third parties. It also lets you download your raw DNA data and permanently delete your DNA data/account.
It has also stated that DNA research uses aggregated/anonymized data only with explicit consent.
My pick if you're primarily interested in ancestry/genealogy and want a large DNA-matching database.
Sequencing.com has a particularly strong stated privacy position: it says you own your genomic data, can download and delete it, and that it does not sell DNA data. It also says it does not share individual-level data with third parties without explicit consent.
One qualification: if you voluntarily use an app/report in its Marketplace, a limited subset of your DNA data can be provided to the report developer to produce the result.
My pick if privacy is more important to you than having the largest genealogy database.
FamilyTreeDNA's terms explicitly recognize that you own your genetic data and allow you to download your raw DNA data.
It says it does not sell your DNA to third parties and does not share genetic information with pharmaceutical companies, insurers, employers, or third-party marketers without consent.
However, this one needs more careful consideration than MyHeritage: FamilyTreeDNA offers DNA matching, and its policies permit investigative genetic genealogy matching under certain opt-in circumstances.
So I'd classify it as "doesn't sell your DNA, but can share/access it under specific circumstances", rather than "my DNA never leaves the company."
HomeDNA says it does not sell information obtained from testing to third parties, retains raw DNA data in your account, and allows you to request destruction of that raw data.
It's a reasonable option, although I would personally put MyHeritage or Sequencing.com ahead of it because their privacy documentation is considerably more detailed.
Variantyx says raw sequence data is available by request and that it does not sell your data to other companies. It can, however, release information to authorized parties such as your healthcare provider or insurer, and may have legally required disclosures.
This is a very different type of service from an ancestry kit, so I'd consider it if you're specifically looking for clinical-grade sequencing/raw sequence data, rather than genealogy.
23andMe is a good example of why "doesn't sell your data" isn't enough by itself. Its policy says it doesn't sell, lease, or rent genetic information without explicit consent, but it also describes sharing with service providers, affiliates, and parties involved in a change of ownership, as well as certain legal/public-interest circumstances.
So if your standard is:
"I don't want my genetic data sold to pharmaceutical companies/data brokers/advertisers, but I'm okay with necessary service providers and sharing I explicitly authorize."
then MyHeritage, Sequencing.com, and FamilyTreeDNA are particularly worth considering.
If your standard is:
"I want the strongest possible privacy: no commercial use, no research sharing, no law-enforcement access except where legally compelled, easy deletion, and downloadable raw data."
then I'd rank Sequencing.com and MyHeritage highest among the consumer options I found, with FamilyTreeDNA close behind but requiring more attention to its matching/law-enforcement settings.
One important caveat: privacy policies can change, and "we don't sell your data" doesn't mean the company can never disclose it—for example, valid legal process, service providers, or features you've explicitly enabled can create exceptions. For something as irreversible as sharing your genome, I'd read the company's current privacy policy immediately before purchasing.
If you'd like, I can also make a privacy-focused comparison of MyHeritage vs. Sequencing.com vs. FamilyTreeDNA vs. 23andMe, including raw-data format, whole-genome vs. SNP testing, deletion policy, law-enforcement access, research opt-in, ownership/change-of-control provisions, and price.
Finding a direct-to-consumer genetic testing or sequencing provider that both gives you full access to download your raw data and explicitly commits to a strict "no-selling" policy requires looking closely at each company's privacy policy. Mainstream companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA have historically allowed raw data downloads, but their approaches to third-party research sharing, targeted advertising , and vulnerability during corporate restructuring or bankruptcy have raised consumer concerns.
Companies focusing strongly on data ownership, privacy-first models, and raw data access include:
Note on Data and Privacy: Even with strict corporate promises, direct-to-consumer genetic data falls outside traditional medical frameworks like HIPAA. If a company undergoes bankruptcy or acquisition, privacy terms can sometimes be subject to change by a new bankruptcy court or buyer unless specific legal protections block it. Reviewing the platform's active terms of service before submitting a sample is always recommended.
If you're trying to choose a service, would you prefer low-cost ancestry/trait testing (microarray) or a complete decode of your entire DNA (whole-genome sequencing) ? I can help you weigh the specific privacy trade-offs.
Yes. Based on current privacy policies and data-access documentation, I’d put these at the top of the list:
| Company | Raw DNA access | Says it does not sell user data? | My take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequencing.com | Yes — FASTQ, BAM, VCF | Yes | Best fit for maximum raw-data ownership |
| FamilyTreeDNA | Yes — downloadable raw data | Yes, specifically says it will never sell DNA | Best for genealogy |
| MyHeritage | Yes — raw DNA download | Yes | Good privacy-oriented ancestry option |
| tellmeGen | Yes — CSV; WGS options provide FASTQ/CRAM/VCF | Yes | Worth considering, especially in Europe |
Sequencing.com currently says it does not sell or share your data with third parties without your explicit consent. It also gives customers access to their complete raw WGS files, including FASTQ, BAM and VCF, and allows permanent deletion.
This is particularly attractive if by "raw DNA" you mean actual whole-genome sequencing data, rather than merely a spreadsheet of SNPs. Their current WGS offering covers roughly 3 billion positions.
Caveat: their marketplace can share a limited, de-identified subset of DNA with an app developer when you specifically authorize an analysis. That's different from selling your data, but it's still something to understand.
FamilyTreeDNA explicitly says "we will never sell your DNA to third parties." It also allows customers to download their raw genetic data and request deletion of their genetic data/sample.
The important qualification is that FamilyTreeDNA has genealogy-specific sharing options and law-enforcement considerations, so "doesn't sell" does not mean "never shares under any circumstances." Their privacy documentation says information may be disclosed when legally required or with your explicit consent.
MyHeritage says it has never licensed or sold user data and has committed to never do so without explicit consent. Its current help documentation reiterates that users control whether their DNA/health information is shared.
MyHeritage also provides downloadable raw DNA data, making it useful if you want an ancestry test while retaining a copy you can analyze elsewhere.
tellmeGen says it never sells or rents your data to third parties and provides raw-data access. Its Starter/Advanced genotyping kits provide a downloadable CSV containing 750,000+ markers; its Ultra WGS product provides FASTQ, CRAM and VCF files.
I would not interpret "doesn't sell your data" as meaning:
"No other company will ever have access to my DNA."
Those are different promises. A company may still use laboratories, cloud providers, analytics providers, or other service providers to operate its business. It may also disclose information under a valid legal order or if you explicitly authorize a third-party analysis.
For the highest privacy, I'd therefore prioritize:
1. Sequencing.com → if you want actual whole-genome data and maximum portability
2. FamilyTreeDNA → if genealogy/Y-DNA/mtDNA is your priority
3. MyHeritage → if ancestry is the priority and privacy is important
4. tellmeGen → interesting alternative, particularly for European/GDPR-oriented privacy
One company I'd be especially cautious about right now is Nebula/DNA Complete. Although its current policy says it doesn't sell personal information, there have been significant recent operational/privacy concerns and a prior lawsuit alleging improper sharing of genetic information.
If your goal is "I want the most complete DNA test possible, I want the raw files on my own computer, and I don't want the company monetizing my genome," I'd lean toward 30× whole-genome sequencing from Sequencing.com rather than a traditional ancestry SNP array.