12 May 2025

BIA response to data brokers and national security consultation

BIA has responded to Government's consultation on Data brokers and National Security. In our response we highlighted that:

  1. Health data access is highly valuable for the biotech sector and can be done securely with long term benefits for patients
  2. Brokers sharing health data can increase the risk of malicious use as the data is uncontrolled
  3. There is a risk that data can be used for the wrong purposes, and given the data is sensitive it can be used for challenges to national security
  4. Secure Data Environment (SDE)s can reduce the risk of malicious use and show how securely data has been held
  5. SDEs do not have to be government owned or operated
  6. Clarity around the definitions of brokers, and what their role and responsibilities are would be helpful to the sector