Russian hackers have allegedly accessed sensitive personal and medical data of thousands of couples seeking fertility treatments at IVF clinics across the UK. The London Women’s Clinic, a renowned fertility center with 17 locations nationwide, fell victim to the ransomware gang Qilin, who compromised its systems. This data breach, which occurred on October 19, has raised concerns among patients, including those from the NHS, as it could expose intimate details about fertility struggles and medical histories. The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and NHS England have confirmed the hack, with the clinic providing regular updates during their investigation. While the clinic has not publicly commented, experts emphasize the need for transparency and security measures to protect patient data. Qilin, a Russian-speaking ransomware group, has a history of targeting companies and offering ‘ransomware as a service’. Their attacks have caused significant disruptions, including a recent incident at the publisher of the Big Issue, where over 500GB of confidential data was published after a ransom refusal. The impact of this data breach on the affected couples and the potential for identity theft or scams highlights the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector.