Babylon Health controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile6 entries
2020
Patient video consultation data breach
A software defect temporarily exposed recordings of other patients’ consultations. Later reporting identified additional weaknesses associated with an openly accessible database configuration.
2020
COVID-19 antibody-test controversy
Babylon marketed a finger-prick antibody testing kit that lacked MHRA approval at the time. Regulators advised providers using capillary-blood services to stop and warned the public not to rely on the results.
2020
Alberta privacy investigation
Alberta’s privacy commissioner investigated the Telus Babylon app and identified shortcomings in the way local health-information privacy requirements had been addressed before launch.
2020
Babylon Health discloses patient consultation recording exposure
Issue disclosure
Babylon Health said that a software error allowed a patient to access the introduction of another patient’s consultation recording. It said the issue was resolved within two hours; three patients were incorrectly presented with other patients’ recordings, but did not view them.
Company response
Remediation — Babylon Health
On the afternoon of Tuesday 9 June we identified and resolved an issue within two hours whereby one patient accessed the introduction of another patient’s consultation recording.
Apology — Babylon Health
have contacted the patients affected to update, apologise to and support where required.
Ongoing disclosure — Babylon Health
The company said it had notified the Information Commissioner’s Office.
Source excerpt
Our investigation showed that three patients, who had booked and had appointments today, were incorrectly presented with, but did not view, recordings of other patients’ consultations through a subsection of the user’s profile within the Babylon app.
have contacted the patients affected to update, apologise to and support where required.
The company said it had notified the Information Commissioner’s Office.
2018
Disputed AI diagnostic claims
Babylon’s claims that its AI could match or outperform doctors were challenged by independent analysis, which found that the available evidence did not establish reliable performance in realistic clinical settings.
2017
Dispute over Care Quality Commission findings
Babylon attempted to block publication of a CQC report involving concerns about prescriptions and communication with patients’ regular GPs. The court rejected the injunction and Babylon was ordered to pay regulatory costs.