Mental health helpline funded by royals shared users’ conversations

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at a volunteer celebration event with the charity Shout in London. Their foundation invested £3m in the service. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA

The UK’s biggest crisis text line for people needing urgent mental health support gave third-party researchers access to millions of messages from children and other vulnerable users despite a promise never to do so.

Shout, a helpline launched with a £3m investment from the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, says it offers a confidential service for people struggling to cope with issues such as suicidal thoughts, self-harm, abuse and bullying.