The NHS and other public sector institutions should lead the way in piloting Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) that could help unlock 'lifesaving' data without compromising privacy, a report by the Royal Society has said.

From privacy to partnership, the report from the UK's national academy of science highlights cases where better use of data could have significant public benefits - from cancer research to reaching net-zero carbon emissions.

PETs encompass a suite of tools, such as a new generation of encryption and synthetic data, that could help deliver those benefits by reducing risks inherent to data use. However, their adoption to date has been limited.

NATIONAL STRATEGY
The report, which profiles public sector readiness for PETs, calls for public bodies to champion these technologies, in partnership with small-and-medium-sized enterprises, and for the UK government to establish a "national strategy for the responsible use of PETs".

This should support data use for public good through establishment of common standards for PETs, as well as bursaries and prizes to incentivise and accelerate development of a marketplace for their application.

Chair of the report's working group, Alison Noble, Technikos Professor of Biomedical Engineering, University of Oxford, said: "PETs are already revolutionising the way data is used, from enabling greater cross-analysis between organisations to fuelling AI in medical diagnostics. But public trust is a fundamental component of responsible data use and can be easily undermined through hasty implementation or poor communication.

"Now is the time to agree standards and best practice for PETs adoption to ensure these technologies are used for the greatest public benefit, without compromising the data rights of individuals. Not only do we need a national PETs strategy, but the public sector should lead by example by trialling and communicating results to the wider public to build trust and demonstrate value for money.

"Our report arrives at a time of rapid innovation in PETs, and we hope that through our recommendations the UK will maximise the opportunity to be a global leader in the field."

According to Jon Crowcroft, Marconi Professor of Communications Systems, University of Cambridge, and Researcher at Large, Alan Turing Institute: "There is an ever-increasing amount of data out there, but responsible practitioners have been loath to rush in recklessly for fear of emulating the privacy-invasive practices unfortunately widespread in some of the tech sector. Until recently, societal benefits of data have been limited by this caution.

"The appropriate use of Privacy Enhancing Technologies allows more use of data while reducing the risks of breaches of confidentiality. But before any of these technologies can be used safely, the UK Government needs to set out clear legal and ethical standards to allow the public sector the confidence to use data to its full potential."