The interesting thing is that HN is usually a place where people are usually quite militant about their data not being used for purposes other than intended.
From the responses in this thread, it seems HNer's are actually fine with their data being used for secret reasons without their consent, as long as it means less bureaucracy. "How dare you use my data for your own purposes... unless it helps you avoid an inconveniencing committee, then go for it!"
Maybe it's simply a matter of from whose point of view the story is being told. "They used my data without asking" vs "they won't let me use this data that I already have anyway".
It helps that it's painted as the poor resourceless scientist vs the powerful abusive entity (IRB). Rather than the poor resourceless patient vs the powerful abusive entity (hospital and its staff).
From the responses in this thread, it seems HNer's are actually fine with their data being used for secret reasons without their consent, as long as it means less bureaucracy. "How dare you use my data for your own purposes... unless it helps you avoid an inconveniencing committee, then go for it!"