OpenSNP, a long-running open-source genetic data platform, is shutting down after citing growing concerns over data privacy, the misuse of genetic information by law enforcement, and the rise of authoritarian governments. The decision comes as 23andMe, a major source of user-submitted genetic data for openSNP, faces bankruptcy and a potential selloff of user data . Founded in 2011, openSNP allowed users to upload genetic data from services like 23andMe to make it freely available for scientific research. Co-founder Bastian Greshake Tzovaras said the closure was triggered in part by the collapse of 23andMe and the broader political climate. Speaking to TechCrunch, he stated : “The risk/benefit calculus of providing free and open access to individual genetic data in 2025 is very different compared to 14 years ago.” The database has collected roughly 7,500 genomes and supported academic work across biomedical research, information security, and more. But its founder now questions the ...
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