Health data of half a million members of a UK project offered online in China
AP News
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DNA and other confidential health data from 500,000 U.K. Biobank volunteers were offered for sale online in China after a data breach this week, the British government says.
The information was listed on Alibaba but didn't include names or contact details, according to Technology Minister Ian Murray.
He says the data had been legitimately downloaded by three Chinese research institutions, which now have had access revoked.
The breach occurred Monday and is being investigated.
Murray thanked the Chinese government for its cooperation, noting no purchases were made.
U.K. Biobank has temporarily closed access and plans to enhance security.
- U.K. health data of 500,000 people listed for sale in China CTV News —
- ‘Unacceptable abuse’: UK health data of 500,000 people listed for sale in China The Straits Times —
- Private health records of half a million Britons offered for sale on Chinese website The Guardian —
- Biobank: UK health data of 500,000 people for sale in China BBC News —
- Half a million Brits have personal DNA and health data listed for sale in China Mirror —