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Genetic sharing site openSNP to shut down, citing concerns of data privacy and‘rise in authoritarian governments’
openSNP, a genetic data sharing site, will shut down in April 2025 due to privacy concerns following 23andMe's bankruptcy and the rise of authoritarianism, as stated by co-founder Bastian Greshake Tzovaras. The site, started in 2011, had nearly 13,000 users and contributed significantly to genetic research. The decision reflects growing fears about the misuse of genetic data under changing political climates.
Key points
- openSNP is shutting down and deleting data by the end of April 2025.
- The closure is driven by concerns about data privacy post-23andMe's bankruptcy and increasing authoritarian governments.
- Founded in 2011, openSNP served as a repository for genetic data, amassing nearly 13,000 users.
- Greshake Tzovaras cited the dangers of potential abuses of genetic data, comparing today's political climate to previous authoritarian regimes.
- The site had contributed to research with over 7,500 genomes but felt the risks of continuing outweighed benefits.
Why it matters
- The shutdown of openSNP parallels the financial collapse of 23andMe, raising questions about the future of genetic data privacy.
- Concerns about authoritarianism and its impact on personal data protection are heightened, reflecting global trends in governance.
- Open-source movements in genetics may become less viable amid rising fear of misuse and politicization of genetic information.
The decision to close openSNP underscores a significant shift in the risks associated with sharing genetic data amidst rising authoritarianism and corporate instability, marking a critical moment for data privacy and open-access initiatives.