# NHS England Shifts Policy on Public Software Over AI Security Threats
NHS England is restricting public access to software developed with taxpayer funding, breaking with established policy that requires transparency. The shift responds to growing concerns that artificial intelligence models like Mythos could exploit openly available code to identify security vulnerabilities and launch attacks.
The National Health Service historically released all publicly funded software to encourage innovation and public scrutiny. This openness allowed developers to audit code for problems and build on existing work. The new approach prioritizes protecting NHS computer systems from AI-powered hacking attempts that could disrupt patient care and expose sensitive health data.
The decision creates tension between two competing values. Transparency in publicly funded research supports scientific progress and accountability. Security concerns, however, demand limiting information that could assist attackers in targeting critical healthcare infrastructure.
NHS England has not detailed how it will balance these priorities going forward. The health service must now establish clear guidelines for which software remains public and which undergoes restricted access. Other government agencies and public institutions face similar decisions as AI capabilities advance.
The move signals how institutions are adapting security practices in response to evolving technological threats. Healthcare providers worldwide will likely watch this policy closely as they confront identical choices between openness and protection.