Co-founder Bastian Greshake Tzovaras confirmed that openSNP, the popular open-source platform for genetic data, will shut down and delete all of its data by the end of April. The decision comes amid growing concerns regarding data privacy, the collapse of 23andMe, and the increasing rise of authoritarian governments worldwide.
OpenSNP’s Commitment to Data Privacy and Security
Tzovaras, along with Philipp Bayer and Helge Rausch, founded openSNP in 2011. The platform allowed users to upload their genetic testing results from services like 23andMe and connect with others who shared similar genetic traits. By the time of its shutdown announcement, the site had grown to nearly 13,000 users, making it one of the largest public repositories of genetic data.
Tzovaras announced the shutdown due to mounting concerns about the security of personal genetic data. He highlighted the financial collapse of 23andMe and the rise of authoritarian governments as key reasons for the closure.
The Impact of 23andMe’s Financial Collapse on Genetic Data Privacy
OpenSNP’s shutdown follows 23andMe’s bankruptcy filing, raising fears that the company might sell its vast customer data without regard for privacy. Attorneys general from states such as California and New York have warned users to delete their data ahead of a possible sell-off. Tzovaras pointed out that this situation increased concerns about how authorities would handle sensitive genetic information moving forward.
The Rise of Authoritarian Governments: A Key Factor in Shutting Down openSNP
Tzovaras stressed that the rise of far-right and authoritarian governments significantly influenced his decision to shut down openSNP. He mentioned the removal of public data from U.S. government websites after President Trump returned to power and expressed concern about the misuse of genetic data by authoritarian regimes.
“The risk/benefit calculus of providing free and open access to individual genetic data in 2025 is very different compared to 14 years ago,” Tzovaras wrote in his blog post. He argued that the current political landscape made it irresponsible to continue providing access to personal genetic data.
Genetic Data and Potential Misuse: A Dark Future
Tzovaras voiced concern about the potential misuse of genetic data. He worried that we could return to a “darker eugenics age,” where genetic data would be used to make harmful claims about individuals or groups. He also pointed out the increasing risks in the context of rising authoritarian governments, leading him to conclude that closing openSNP and deleting the stored data was the most responsible action.
OpenSNP’s Legacy: A 14-Year Contribution to Scientific Research
Despite the shutdown, Tzovaras reflected positively on openSNP’s 14-year run, calling it his “biggest achievement.” The platform ran on just $100 per month and contributed significantly to research in fields such as cybersecurity and biomedical studies. Tzovaras also noted the site’s success in democratizing access to genomic data for students and researchers, maintaining the spirit of open-source culture.
Looking Forward: The Future of Open Genetic Data Repositories
As openSNP shuts down, Tzovaras hopes that its 14-year operation will inspire future efforts to protect user privacy and data security. Even though the site is closing, the data it contributed to various fields of research will remain a testament to the power of open-source culture.
