OpenSNP, a pioneering open-source repository of user-uploaded genetic data, will shut down and delete all of its data at the end of April, co-founder Bastian Greshake Tzovaras has confirmed. The decision comes amid growing concerns over data privacy, particularly in the wake of 23andMe's financial collapse and the rise of authoritarian governments around the world.

Founded in 2011, openSNP became a public repository for customers of commercial genetic testing kits, including 23andMe, to upload their test results and find others with similar genetic variations. The site had close to 13,000 users at the time of its closure announcement, making it one of the largest public repositories of genetic data. Since its founding, openSNP has contributed significantly to academic and scientific research, identifying over 7,500 genomes.

Tzovaras attributed the decision to shutter the site to concerns over data privacy, citing the financial collapse of 23andMe and the rise of authoritarian governments. The attorneys general for the states of California and New York have warned customers to delete their data ahead of the court-approved selloff later this year, fearing that the company's vast banks of sensitive genetic data may be sold to the highest bidder, who may not adhere to 23andMe's privacy commitments.

Tzovaras also expressed concerns over the "rise in far-right and other authoritarian governments," citing the removal of public data from the U.S. government's websites soon after President Trump returned to power. "The risk/benefit calculus of providing free and open access to individual genetic data in 2025 is very different compared to 14 years ago," wrote Tzovaras. "Sunsetting openSNP — along with deleting the data stored within it — feels like it is the most responsible act of stewardship for these data today."

In an interview with TechCrunch, Tzovaras was blunt about his decision to shut down openSNP now, citing the "wholesale dismantling of scientific institutions and science itself" since January. He expressed concerns that genetic data might be soon abused to make false claims about a variety of topics, effectively bringing back a darker eugenics age.

Tzovaras acknowledged that openSNP has "always been a balancing act" between its potential uses and risks. He cited the example of law enforcement using genetic data from genealogy site GEDmatch in 2018 to identify a notorious serial killer, noting that openSNP seemed less relevant or at risk for use by law enforcement compared to larger ancestry-specific databases. However, he emphasized that the site has never received a law enforcement request for any genetic or user data.

Despite the shutdown, Tzovaras reflected positively on openSNP's achievements, saying that keeping the site running for 14 years may be his "biggest achievement." He noted that openSNP ran on a shoestring budget of about $100 per month, in contrast to commercial startups that have worked to monetize people's data yet ultimately failed. Tzovaras said that openSNP "feels like a testament to the power of open source/culture."

The site has contributed significantly to research and publications across a wide range of disciplines, from infosec/privacy to biomedical studies. Many undergraduates also benefited from having access to real-world data hosted by openSNP. "In that sense, I think our hope of 'democratizing' access to genomics was at least partially successful," said Tzovaras.

The shutdown of openSNP raises important questions about the future of genetic data privacy and the role of open-source repositories in promoting scientific research and collaboration. As the genomics industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the loss of openSNP will impact the research community and the broader public.