Mayo Clinic Sued Over AI Privacy Gaps And Whistleblower Claims

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A lawsuit filed in federal court alleges Mayo Clinic ignored federal safeguards and retaliated against a now former employee when she raised concerns.

Traci Tamiko Eto alleges she was “targeted, isolated, demoted and fired while on medical leave after blowing the whistle on how the hospital’s rush to incorporate AI into their operations put patient care and privacy at risk while manipulating data critical in the institution’s medical research,” according to a news release published by the law firm representing her.

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Eto was hired by the Rochester-based healthcare provider as Director of Research Operations in 2023 and dismissed in December of 2025, the lawsuit says.

Eto suffered what the federal court document describes as a “depressive episode immediately after her de facto demotion.” She was eventually granted FMLA Leave after threatening legal action, the suit claims.

Lawsuit Alleges Patient Data Privacy Concerns, Manipulated Data in Mayo Clinic's AI

The news release says Eto’s role at Mayo Clinic was “to lead the hospital’s efforts to establish new AI security and privacy-based safeguards in keeping with new federal regulations,” which were issued via Executive Order by the Biden Administration in 2023.

Eto’s suit claims she uncovered “a disturbing set of flaws in Mayo’s AI compass” that included “gaps in the protection of patient privacy” and the “manipulation of data to conceal unfavorable outcomes” and the “deployment of a software tool without proper oversight."

Eto lawsuit. U.S. Court District of Minnesota

The lawsuit also accuses Mayo Clinic of authorizing “a cardiac surgical procedure without adequate institutional review; and a propensity for evading the federally mandated institutional review process.”

Systemic Exclusion Alleged in Lawsuit

After sharing her concerns with Mayo’s AI process, Eto claims she was “systematically excluded from projects that she had spearheaded, and from operational planning sessions; her supervisory authority was diminished; and by the spring of 2025, she was warned that she had been targeted for termination,” the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit accuses Mayo Clinic of Retaliation under the False Claims Act, Discrimination in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

Mayo Clinic has not immediately responded to a request for comment from KROC News.

The full lawsuit is available here: attachment-2026-07-06-eto-efs-complaint

Rochester Locals Re-name One Of The Popular Pieces of Art

Just outside the Rochester Art Center is a large, silver piece of art that is labeled "Tapered Arch-Shaped Sculpture" on Google Maps in Rochester, Minnesota. This 30-foot stainless steel piece of art was created by Po Shu Wang and installed in 2017. If you go inside the Mayo Civic Center, you'll also notice a kiosk that allows visitors to interact with this art sculpture.

Since its installation, several nicknames have been given by locals for this piece of art. Below are some of the more common names that people have given this shiny object throughout the years.

Gallery Credit: Jessica On The Radio