Peter Hollens

I signed up for 23andMe back in July 2017. I was genuinely excited — the idea that a $99 kit could tell me about my ancestry, health predispositions, and carrier status felt like the future. I opted into DNA Relatives, shared results with family members, and explored every report they offered. For six years, I was a happy customer.

Then in October 2023, hackers exploited the DNA Relatives feature — the exact feature I'd been using — through credential stuffing attacks and accessed roughly 6.9 million user profiles. Genetic ancestry data, profile information, and potentially health-related data were exposed. I'm a confirmed class member in the resulting litigation — In re: 23andMe, Inc. Customer Data Security Breach Litigation.

That breach changed how I think about genetic data. Your DNA doesn't change. It's not like a password you can reset. Once it's exposed, it's exposed permanently — and it doesn't just affect you, it affects your family.

I still wanted to understand what my DNA said about my health. But after the breach, I didn't feel comfortable uploading my raw data to yet another platform. Every tool I found — Promethease, SelfDecode, Nebula — required sending my most personal information to their servers. That felt wrong.

So I built something different. DNA Explore processes your entire genetic analysis locally in your browser. Your raw data file never leaves your device. No account required. No data stored on any server. Not as a privacy policy promise that could change — as an architectural guarantee built into how the software works.

And I didn't just want privacy — I wanted what I was actually searching for when I got my DNA tested in the first place. Actionable health insights. Drug metabolism analysis so you can have an informed conversation with your doctor. Polygenic risk scores. Nutrition guidance based on your actual genetics. Real things you can do with your data, not just interesting facts to scroll through.

I created this for myself first. Then I realized it could help a lot of other people who want to understand their genetics without sacrificing their privacy.

I'm probably best known as a musician. I've built an independent music career with over 9 million followers across platforms, produced over 1,000 videos with more than 1.5 billion views, and partnered with brands like Disney, Warner, and others. I founded the University of Oregon's a cappella group On The Rocks in 1999, which is still going 25 years later.

But for the past several years, my focus has shifted to the intersection of technology and the creator economy. I advise companies including Patreon (since 2013), work with AI startups, and consult with companies on creator strategy through Inhouse Creators. I've spoken at VidCon, VidSummit, the Spacestation Investments Summit, CreatorFest London, and the BRIDGE Summit in Abu Dhabi.

I studied Vocal Performance at the University of Oregon (B.Mus., 1999–2005). I'm a husband, father, and based in Eugene, Oregon.

I'm not a geneticist or a doctor. I want to be upfront about that. DNA Explore's analysis is built on published, peer-reviewed research — NCBI dbSNP, CPIC pharmacogenomics guidelines, the PGS Catalog, and the broader scientific literature. The tool translates that research into something a non-scientist can understand.

What I do bring is over a decade of experience building technology products, an obsession with privacy (born from having my own data compromised), and the belief that people should be able to explore their own genetic data without handing it over to a corporation. I was a paying customer who trusted a company with my most personal data for six years. That experience gives me a perspective most tool builders don't have.

As an early adopter and AI practitioner, I've been deeply involved in understanding how artificial intelligence intersects with real-world applications. DNA Explore uses AI to generate plain-English explanations of complex genetic findings — but the core analysis is based on established research, not AI-generated science.

The articles on the DNA Explore blog are educational guides designed to help people understand their genetic data. I write about topics including:

• What's in your raw DNA data file and how to make sense of it
• Pharmacogenomics — how your genes affect medication response
• Polygenic risk scores and what they can (and can't) tell you
• MTHFR gene variants and methylation
• DNA data privacy and security in the post-breach world
• Affordable DNA testing — how to get a full analysis for under $90

All content is reviewed for accuracy against current scientific literature. Where claims cite statistics or research findings, I use hedged language and link to primary sources. These articles are for educational purposes only and are not medical advice — always consult a healthcare provider before making health decisions based on genetic information.

• Wikipedia-notable musician — over 1.5 billion video views and 9M+ followers across platforms
• Patreon advisor since 2013 — one of the platform's longest-standing advisors
• Founder, Inhouse Creators — creator strategy consultancy working with companies integrating AI and creator talent
• Founder, Creator Education — educational platform helping creators grow sustainably
• Co-Founder, Powerhouse AI — helping creatives get paid for their intellectual property through AI-powered licensing
• Speaker — VidCon, VidSummit, Spacestation Investments Summit, CreatorFest London, BRIDGE Summit Abu Dhabi
• University of Oregon — B.Mus., Vocal Performance; founded On The Rocks a cappella group (1999)
• 23andMe customer since 2017, confirmed breach class member — six years as a customer before the October 2023 breach; personal experience that directly motivated building DNA Explore's privacy-first architecture