UK investigates after UK Biobank participant data was listed for sale on Alibaba in China

What kind of data was involved?

Officials said the material came from UK Biobank datasets and was de-identified, meaning it did not include direct personal identifiers such as names, addresses, contact details or telephone numbers BBC,BBC,Reuters.

Do authorities think the data was actually sold?

The government said the listings were removed quickly and that it had no evidence any buyer purchased the datasets before they were taken down Guardian,Reuters,Deutsche Welle.

What happens next?

UK Biobank said it is investigating, the ICO said it is making enquiries, and access linked to the institutions identified as the source has been revoked while the charity reviews how the data was posted online BBC,BBC,Hindustan Times.