Google collecting health data of millions

Alphabet’s Google is teaming up with a healthcare company on a secret project to collect personal health-related information of millions of Americans across 21 states.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Google launched “Project Nightingale” last year with St. Louis-based Ascension, according to the report, citing people familiar with the matter and internal documents.

Dr Robert Epstein, a medical researcher and former editor-in-chief at Psychology Today, tweeted: “You can’t make this s*** up. #BeAfraid.”
 

Just revealed: #Google is secretly collecting health data on millions of Americans from hospitals nationwide without patients or doctors knowing - WITH patient names - including, maybe, YOURS. You can't make this sh*t up. #BeAfraid https://t.co/Qho9V9ccVq

— Dr. Robert Epstein (@DrREpstein) November 12, 2019

Google said the partnership was aimed at “improving patient outcomes and saving lives” and is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which controls the privacy of health data.

Ascension said the partnership is designed to “optimise the health and wellness of individuals and communities”.

The data involved in Project Nightingale includes lab results, doctor diagnoses and hospitalisation records, among other categories, and amounts to a complete health history, complete with patient names and dates of birth, the Journal reported.
 

MORE NEWS

Why Hillary wants to hug Meghan

Knox, Bobbitt join forces against media

Arrests in Mexico Mormon massacre

Patients were not informed that the data collection was happening and were not given a chance to opt-out.

The news follows an earlier announcement from Google that it would buy Fitbit for $2.1 billion, aiming to enter wearables segment and invest in digital health.