DeepMind Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Amid Controversial NHS Health Data Breach
DeepMind Faces Class-Action Lawsuit Over NHS Data Controversy
DeepMind is currently facing a class-action lawsuit regarding its controversial utilization of health data from NHS patients back in 2015. The company, owned by Google, was granted access to the personal records of 1.6 million patients at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. According to DeepMind, the data was used to develop a groundbreaking app named Streams, intended to alert healthcare providers about patients at risk of acute kidney injury. However, the app is presently being phased out.
Multiple investigations were initiated, including one by the Information Commission, which concluded in 2017 that the hospital had inadequately safeguarded patients’ privacy when it shared data with Google. Following the ruling, DeepMind issued an apology, acknowledging that it should have prioritized patient needs over tool development for clinicians.
The ongoing lawsuit is being represented by Mishcon de Reya on behalf of lead plaintiff Andrew Prismall and the over 1.5 million other affected patients. Mr. Prismall expressed concern over the handling of his confidential medical records: “As a patient, the last thing you would expect is for your private medical records to be in the hands of one of the world’s biggest technology companies. I hope this case will lead to a just outcome for all patients whose records were obtained without their consent.”
In the UK, these types of lawsuits operate on an “opt-out” basis, meaning all affected individuals are automatically included unless they request otherwise. Given the scale of this case, potential payouts for DeepMind could be significant, although the amount received by each individual might be minimal.
This lawsuit adds to the growing list of high-profile cases concerning data collection. For instance, in April, Anne Longfield, the former Children’s Commissioner for England, initiated a lawsuit against TikTok regarding its data collection practices affecting millions of UK children. Collecting data is vital for training AI technologies that have the potential to save lives; however, maintaining individual privacy is equally critical.
Ben Lasserson, a partner at Mishcon de Reya leading the DeepMind case, stated, “This crucial claim aims to address fundamental questions surrounding the management of personal and sensitive data. It arises at a time when public interest and concern about access to personal and medical records is heightened.”
As the UK moves away from the EU, it is reassessing its data policies. While EU regulations have often been criticized as overly stringent, there are concerns that the UK might adopt a more lenient stance despite assurances from officials. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden highlighted the opportunity to create exemplary data regulations that prioritize privacy while allowing room for innovation.
Additionally, the UK’s data regulatory body is undergoing reform under the leadership of John Edwards, New Zealand’s current privacy commissioner, who aims to enhance the role of the organization in fostering trusted data usage for societal benefit.
The balance between stringent regulations akin to the EU and a relaxed approach seen in other regions remains to be established. However, ongoing legal actions against companies like DeepMind signal a pressing need for modernized laws and perspectives to harness the benefits of AI to improve lives while safeguarding individual privacy.
NVIDIA is paving the way for Germany to dominate the AI manufacturing landscape in Europe. This initiative underscores the company’s commitment to advancing technological innovation and positioning Germany as a key player in the AI sector.
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However, the road to successful AI implementation isn’t entirely smooth. A significant challenge, known as the “AI execution gap,” reveals that a staggering 80% of AI projects fail to reach full production. This statistic highlights the importance of strategic planning and execution in AI initiatives.
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