Genetic Data Platform OpenSNP To Shut Down Over Data Privacy Concerns

The open-source genetic data platform openSNP announced this Monday that it will shut down on April 30 this year due to privacy concerns.

openSNP’s co-founder, Bastian Greshake Tzovaras, shared a blog post explaining that the decision has been made after considering data privacy risks, 23andMe’s recent bankruptcy announcement and its massive data breach—exposing private information of over 7 million users—, as well as the rise of authoritarian governments globally.

“The risk/benefit calculus of providing free & open access to individual genetic data in 2025 is very different compared to 14 years ago,” wrote Greshake Tzovaras. “And so, sunsetting openSNP – along with deleting the data stored within it – feels like it is the most responsible act of stewardship for these data today.”

openSNP was founded in 2011 by Greshake Tzovaras, Philipp Bayer, and Helge Rausch as an open and public platform for people to donate genetic and phenotypic data for scientific purposes and to open up access to genetic data to everyone.

Despite the major achievements such as becoming one of the world’s largest resources for genetic data and the scientific breakthroughs like the findings on “genetic origins of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” Greshake Tzovaras explains that he believes that circumstances have changed and that his initial believes now look “naïve” and too “data-centric” to him.

Greshake Tzovaras points out that multiple companies and organizations wanted to buy openSNP for its data, but that they remained independent until the end, and found financial solutions–including crowdfunding strategies—to help the organizations remain true to their values and protect their users’ data.

According to TechCrunch, openSNP had nearly 13,000 users, and had identified over 7,500 genomes.

While there are still opportunities to develop and continue the legacy of the democratic project, Greshake Tzovaras also raised concern over the current use of genetic data—such as for law enforcement and “DNA phenotyping”—, sustainability challenges, and political developments.

“Across the globe, there is a rise in far-right and other authoritarian governments,” added Greshake Tzovaras. “While they are cracking down on free and open societies, they are also dedicated to replacing scientific thought and reasoning with pseudoscience across disciplines.”