UK Biobank health data listed for sale in China, government confirms

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The health information of 500,000 members of the UK's health data project, UK Biobank, were offered for sale online in China, the government has confirmed.

Technology minister Ian Murray said information of all members of the database was found listed for sale on the website Alibaba.

Murray told MPs the charity which runs UK Biobank had told the government about the data breach on Monday. He said the information did not include names, addresses, contact details or telephone numbers.

Alibaba has been contacted for comment.

The Biobank is a collection of data which has been used to help improvements in detection and treatment of dementia, some cancers and Parkinson's.

UK Biobank said it was investigating the incident and thanked the UK and Chinese government, as well as Alibaba, for support and cooperation.

"We understand that the existence of these listings, even temporarily, will be concerning to you," Chief Executive Professor Sir Rory Collins said in a message to participants.

"We want to reassure you that all the data are de-identified; they do not contain any personally identifying information (such as names, addresses, dates of birth, and NHS numbers)."

Murray added the government has been told no purchases were made from the three listings on the website.

He said the listings have since been taken down and also thanked the Chinese government for their cooperation.

He said: "The UK Biobank charity informed the government that it had identified that a data had been advertised for sale by several sellers on Alibaba e-commerce platforms in China."

An Information Commissioner's Office spokesperson said: "People's medical data is highly sensitive information, not only do people expect it to be handled carefully and securely, organisations also have a responsibility under the law.

"UK Biobank has made us aware of an incident and we are making enquiries."

Additional reporting by Liv McMahon.

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