75% Support AI Health Data Sharing But Most Do It Unsafely

Findings

Three-quarters (75%) of the public support sharing some of their personal health data for the development of artificial intelligence systems in the NHS. Meanwhile, the USA leads AI healthcare revenue at $11.8 billion, nearly nine times more than the UK.

This growing acceptance of AI in healthcare comes with a required responsibility: protecting your personal privacy while getting the health insights you need. However, many people unknowingly share sensitive information in ways that could put their personal data at risk. Ubie Health experts have combined essential guidelines that everyone should know when asking AI tools health-related questions.

Remove Your Personal Details First

People often rush to get health answers, but that urgency can lead to privacy mistakes. Studies show that personal identifiers in AI queries create digital footprints that can be traced back to individuals. Your name, birthdate, address, and even details like "I'm a 34-year-old woman from Brooklyn" can become identifiable when combined with other information.

What to do: Replace all personal details with generic descriptions like "a person," "someone," or "a patient" before asking any health question, focusing on the symptoms or condition.

Ask General Questions, Not Personal Cases

The difference between a safe query and a privacy risk often comes down to how you frame your question. Research shows that hypothetical framing reduces identification risk by 89% while still giving you relevant health information.

What to do: Instead of asking "I have chest pain and diabetes—what should I do?", ask "What are common treatments for chest pain in people with diabetes?" Frame it like you're researching for general knowledge.

Choose Privacy-Safe AI Platforms

Not all AI tools provide the same level of privacy protection. A 2024 survey found that only 23% of popular AI tools meet healthcare privacy requirements, yet most people can't identify which platforms are actually safe for health questions.

What to do: Only use AI services that clearly state they comply with privacy laws like HIPAA and GDPR. Look for platforms that mention data encryption and have clear privacy policies. When in doubt, stick to AI tools specifically designed for health information.

Clean Any Files Before Sharing

Photos, documents, and files contain hidden information that most people never see. Photo timestamps, location data, and embedded details often survive even when files appear "cleaned" and can reveal personal information.

What to do: Remove all hidden information from files before uploading them to AI platforms. Use your phone's or computer's privacy settings to strip location data from photos, or ask a tech-savvy friend to help clean files properly.

Understand How Your Data Gets Used

Your health questions don't just disappear after you get an AI response. Many platforms store conversations, analyze patterns, or use your questions to improve their systems. Without clear consent, this creates ongoing privacy risks for your personal health information.

What to do: Read the privacy policy and understand exactly how your data will be used, stored, and for how long. If an AI service can't clearly explain its data practices in simple terms, find a different platform that prioritizes user privacy.

The Expert Takeaway

"AI can provide valuable health insights, but people need to approach it like they would any other personal health decision, with caution and awareness," explains Kota Kubo, CEO and co-founder at Ubie Health. "The message is not to avoid AI health tools, but to use them smartly. When you remove personal details, ask general questions, and choose privacy-focused platforms, you can get the health information you need while keeping your personal data safe."