The boss of UK Biobank, Professor Sir Rory Collins, has stated that a 'few bad apples' were involved in a recent incident where the personal medical data of 500,000 participants was offered for sale on a website in China. Last week, datasets containing de-identified information about volunteers, intended for research purposes, were found posted on Alibaba. Collins expressed his anger and concern towards the breach, noting that the listings were swiftly removed before any transactions took place.
The UK Biobank is now under intense scrutiny over how such a serious lapse occurred. In response, the organization has temporarily suspended access to its online research platform to implement better security controls, effectively putting ongoing scientific research on hold.
In an interview with the BBC, Collins admitted he was 'upset' and confirmed that the academic institutions involved had been banned from using the Biobank's platform. He highlighted the importance of maintaining trust, as the Biobank provides invaluable data to researchers worldwide, contributing to advancements in medical science, including treatments for dementia and various cancers.
The UK government's technology minister, Ian Murray, informed MPs that while participant names and contact details were not compromised, some sensitive information, such as age, gender, and biological measures, could have been exposed.
The organisation has already reported the incident to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which is investigating the breach's implications. As part of its strategy, the UK Biobank is undertaking a thorough investigation to prevent future incidents and has reaffirmed its commitment to the safe handling of sensitive data.
The UK Biobank is now under intense scrutiny over how such a serious lapse occurred. In response, the organization has temporarily suspended access to its online research platform to implement better security controls, effectively putting ongoing scientific research on hold.
In an interview with the BBC, Collins admitted he was 'upset' and confirmed that the academic institutions involved had been banned from using the Biobank's platform. He highlighted the importance of maintaining trust, as the Biobank provides invaluable data to researchers worldwide, contributing to advancements in medical science, including treatments for dementia and various cancers.
The UK government's technology minister, Ian Murray, informed MPs that while participant names and contact details were not compromised, some sensitive information, such as age, gender, and biological measures, could have been exposed.
The organisation has already reported the incident to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which is investigating the breach's implications. As part of its strategy, the UK Biobank is undertaking a thorough investigation to prevent future incidents and has reaffirmed its commitment to the safe handling of sensitive data.
