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Posting annonymous sequening results without identifiers have become a common practice in large scale sequecning projects. Here, we report a novel risk of surname leakage from whole-genome sequencing datasets. Different from previously described risks, this approach does not require physical access to DNA of the target or prvious leakage of DNA data from the target. Surname leakage relies on bioinformatic profiling of short tandem repeats (STR) on the Y-chromosome and querying massive Web 2.0 genealogical databases. We demonstrate the applicability of the technique by recovering the surname ‘Venter’ from Craig Venter’s genome sequence. We also show that short read datasets are amenable to this technique. According to a conservative estimation, surname recovery would jeopardize 10% of whole genome sequencing datasets of US individuals. Moreover, the combination of a leaked surname with age and state narrows the identity of a sequencing dataset to ≤10 US individuals in most cases. As a remedy, we developed STRANGERS, a tool to mitigate the risk for surname leakage from sequencing datasets. STRANGERS uses a statistical framework that ensures maximal datasharing of Y chrmosome variations while eliminating the risk of surname leakage.

Chronology in archaeology was developed long before radiocarbon dating was possible. The time sequence was based on detectable changes in the material culture. Even 60 years after the development of radiocarbon dating, this seriation model is widely used. In the last decade a major change has taken place based on integrating field work, quality control on the datable material and improvement in radiocarbon dating analysis. This new approach has resulted in high resolution absolute chronologies that in turn raise fundamental questions about timing of events, reliability of material culture changes and diffusion of ideas, trade and so on.