As a potentially interesting data point for those not keeping up with privacy and data processing in the UK, next week (1 September) also marks the time the NHS

As a potentially interesting data point for those not keeping up with privacy and data processing in the UK, next week (1 September) also marks the time the NHS will opt everyone into sharing their personal health records for "research and planning" purposes by default (this is about the GPDPR, which is obviously not named confusingly similarly to the GDPR). Details about what this really means, who will get access to the data, and what regulatory or legal consequences they will face if it's abused are disturbingly vague. In theory, there has already been a two-month delay in doing this due to concerns the first time around about a lack of public awareness. I have seen exactly zero further public information campaigning on the subject during the additional time. Right now, as someone who believes strongly in the importance of personal privacy and restricting the sharing of sensitive personal data, I am more concerned about that imminent development than this one. For anyone in the UK who is concerned about that, there is still just about time to opt out via NHS Digital's online system. Make sure you also notify your GPs, as it seems there will now be two systems involved and they require separate opt-outs. (I'm using "UK" here, but if this affects you, please be aware that the rules may differ depending on whether you're in England, Scotland, etc.)