back to article Google to remove private medical data from search results

Google has decided to wipe people’s medical records from its search results - just as its AI branch DeepMind extends its grips on UK patients’ medical records. The Chocolate Factory added an extra line to its removal policies page on June 23, which lists “confidential, personal medical records of private people” as information …

  1. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    "no opt-out for patients who do not wish to share their data."

    http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-40352885

    1. Ian Michael Gumby
      Mushroom

      Re: "no opt-out for patients who do not wish to share their data."

      I have to question the legality of this.

      Here in the states, it would be a direct violation of HIPPA.

      If anyone knows of Google doing this or anyone doing this without the direct consent of any and all patients involved... its a lawsuit.

      The combination of this data with any other data set that further violates or erodes the protections granted by HIPPA or any other privacy statute would also be an actionable offense.

      1. Daggerchild Silver badge

        Re: "no opt-out for patients who do not wish to share their data."

        Strewth. It's like nobody even cares what Deepmind and the Trust are *actually* doing.

        By all means. Block Google from processing your medical data. Tell Google directly. They will agree. That will confuse the hell out of you.

      2. Chemical Bob
        Unhappy

        Re: "no opt-out for patients who do not wish to share their data."

        "Here in the states, it would be a direct violation of HIPPA."

        Just wait a bit, HIPPA will be thrown in the Trumpster Dumpster soon enough

  2. sjsmoto

    "DeepMind has consistently said that patients’ data is safe, and will not be shared with its parent company, as well as emphasising the benefits Streams has for patients."

    Something you never read: "As a way of showing their trust in its security and use, all of DeepMind's executives have added their own personal medical history into the system."

    1. Alumoi Silver badge

      As a way of showing their trust in its security and use, all of DeepMind's executives have added their own personal medical history into the system and then told their minions to make sure the data was erased.

  3. Eduard Coli

    And the mustachioed contenance of Big Brother opened into a smile

    Should it not be that Google nee, Alphabet is required, by as some law to remove these records from search rather then reliance on Google's benevolence?

    1. RyokuMas
      Devil

      Re: And the mustachioed contenance of Big Brother opened into a smile

      It would be nice, wouldn't it?

      However, in reality, it's the people with the money that get to push what the law should be.

  4. alain williams Silver badge

    Removed from search results ...

    but no comment about removing it from the profile that is built about you to help google target you with more adverts.

    1. Ian Michael Gumby

      Re: Removed from search results ...

      Bingo

      Hence this is one of the world's largest class action lawsuits waiting to happen.

    2. bombastic bob Silver badge
      Alert

      Re: Removed from search results ...

      "but no comment about removing it from the profile that is built about you to help google target you with more adverts."

      Ack. and don't forget every question you ever typed in for WebMD or some similar web site to see if you want to bother going to a doctor, or to inform yourself ahead of time to avoid unnecessary "whatever".

      Or you could always have fun and look up a bunch of rare female diseases (if you're a male), or rare male diseases/conditions (if you're a female), and flood their metadata with useless nonsense. Then sit back and watch the funny ads, with beer and popcorn.

      that's right ladies, penis enlargement ads! JUST for YOU! Men can get plenty of information about menopause and vaginal yeast infections sent to them, and maybe some sample feminine hygiene products on top of it...

  5. Daggerchild Silver badge

    Strange....

    Is it my imagination, or is this trying to make a scare story out of two things that are agreed by all involved to be A Good Thing?

    There's a lot of referencing and self-referencing 'alleged to', 'was reported to' and 'people say was'. There's a feedback loop here that's not healthy for the Zeitgeist considering the below:

    If you check, you find that the Deepmind growl by the regulator was about the paperwork - users data-consented only for treatment, but the app was officially only for non-treatment testing, but the doctors *were* using it for treatment, so .. ?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      Re: Strange....

      It's a bad thing that it wasn't there from the very beginning. It's a bad thing now because they're not thinking about these things thoroughly or methodically, it's all done piece meal according to whatever the latest publicity about privacy is. It's a bad thing because it's still all about getting hold of more data for themselves, and using it to make more money.

      I hope the NHS is damn well charging them a fortune for access to the data, or have placed audited embargoes on using the data for anything other than medical research. And since when did Google become a medical research institute? Have they suddenly stopped being an ad broker?

      1. Daggerchild Silver badge
        Black Helicopters

        Re: Strange....

        "And since when did Google become a medical research institute?"

        *migraine*... Almost nothing you just said they're doing, they're doing. You didn't even get their name right. And you got upvoted.

        Deepmind, the chess player, has a set of anonymised eye scans. It checks for a condition, and gives the result to the doctor, the only one who can de-anonymise it.

        Point at the bit that is evil, or the bit I got wrong. And if you tell me that the evil is actually silently hiding over there in the shadows where nobody can disprove it exists, I swear to Murphy I will cry.

        1. ratfox

          Re: Strange....

          Point at the bit that is evil, or the bit I got wrong.

          Deepmind is not a chess player, but they did create a program that can play go.

          1. Daggerchild Silver badge

            Re: Strange....

            "Deepmind is not a chess player"

            Hah! Wrong because...*googles*...... goddamnit..

            #include <std/quotes/futurama/technically-correct.txt>

        2. Dan 55 Silver badge

          Re: Strange....

          DeepMind (the company) does chess, go, eye scans, cancerous tissue categorisation, and apparently some app whifh uses data from with patient records.

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Strange....

        And since when did Google become a medical research institute?

        The idea was there since its inception. Google early tech ORIGINATED in medical genetics data analysis. Google at the top is inseparable from an interest in health and medical applications.

        It was not actioned upon for two reasons.

        1. A bit awkward to compete with your wife.

        2. Google's top (actually now that is Alphabet) was nowhere near as optimistic as Anne Wojcicki in the idea that you can run a company disregarding the health regulator (her optimism had to undergo forced "surgical" correction by the FDA). They also understand very well that in order to play in that field they need to be in the 800 lb gorilla category. They are now in that category so they rather unsurprisingly entering the field in full force.

    2. cantankerous swineherd

      Re: Strange....

      google and Somerset nhs agree that pimping patient data is "a good thing". others disagree. your imagination *is* playing tricks. this isn't a scare story.

  6. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    The problem with medical history being sold is....

    ...that decisions are made based upon that data that can effect the patient and their offspring.

    Oh you smoked, drank, went abroad, flew on planes, contracted HIV, lived next to a busy road , suffered from mental problem, did a stressful job (basically anything that might effect your health) therefore you are immediately at risk of associated health problems and your premiums have to go up to offset your recklessness such that you and your children may find work hard to get or be excluded from treatment.

    Health history is supposed to be private and should come under statatory regulations so you cannot sign it away when you are vulnerable.

    If people did not want to know about your health history then there would not be a market for it, since their is a market and you have no idea who is making decisions about you based upon self incrimination then it should not be allowed at all.

    Just because one of your parents may have had health problems should not mean that you and your children should be punished for it.

    Quick profit no matter the cost is always far more expensive that the majority of people understand

  7. Mage Silver badge
    Mushroom

    Abusive Megacorp

    The person that agreed to share 3rd party info with Google ought to be tried for something.

    They are one of least fit companies on the planet to have any such stuff.

    Google also should be in the dock for abuse of privacy and market dominance.

    1. Daggerchild Silver badge

      Re: Abusive Megacorp

      You say that, but.. what have they done with user data that is evil? All I keep hearing is that "everybody knows" it's evil. Asking for clarification gets angry responses.

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