Direct-to-consumer genetic testing company 23andMe plans to close its application programming interface to developers in two weeks amid concerns about user privacy, the company said Aug. 23, according to CNBC.
23andMe first opened its API in 2012, giving developers access to customers' raw genomic data. At the time, the company said it wanted to "allow authorized developers to build a broad range of new applications and tools for the 23andMe community," according to CNBC.
App developers will now only be able to access company-generated reports.
"We're updating our API program to focus on apps that build on the interpretations and results we provide to our customers," 23andMe said in an email obtained by CNBC. "Our hope is to bring added value to customers' overall experience. We're notifying existing developers and any impacted customers now in order to help them prepare for the changes to our program."
Researcher partners, such as GlaxoSmithKline, will still be able to access the raw data. The pharmaceutical manufacturer invested nearly $300 million in 23andMe in July as part of a four-year collaboration to use human genetics to guide the company's drug development.
23andMe customers can also still share genetic information online with open-source services like GEDmatch or with a particular developer.