Google recently stirred controversy by requiring U.S. employees to permit access to third-party AI healthcare tool Nayya in order to access health benefits. According to a Business Insider report, the mandate stated that employees could only enroll in Alphabet’s health plan if they shared their health data with Nayya’s AI tool. This tool offers personalized benefits guidance but raised concerns about data privacy and consent among employees. Many expressed frustration on internal platforms, labeling the requirement as “coercive.” They argued that meaningful consent should not be tied to compulsory benefits access. A Nayya spokesperson assured that the tool had passed security checks, emphasizing optional participation. Following backlash, Google clarified that employees could opt out of data sharing without affecting their benefits enrollment. This episode highlights critical issues surrounding employee privacy and corporate practices in sharing health data.
Keywords: Google health benefits, third-party AI tool, Nayya, data privacy, employee consent, healthcare enrollment.
