Qualitative Research into Public Attitudes to Personal Data and Linking Personal Data

July 2013

Studies have shown that the public is generally supportive of their anonymised health information being used for research purposes. But do they feel differently about their health data than they do about other personal data - for example, their financial records, loyalty cards or information they share through social media? If so, why? What are the perceived risks and benefits - to self and society - of linking different kinds of data for research or other purposes?

The Wellcome Trust commissioned CM Insight to conduct some focus groups to try to answer these questions, to help give us a better understanding of people's attitudes towards their data in order to inform future public engagement activities.The findings were launched at a Wellcome Collection event, 'Spotlight on…. Private Data, Public Good?'

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