DataBreaches.Net

Menu
  • About
  • Breach Notification Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Transparency Report
Menu

NZ: Privacy Commissioner amends health code to protect newborn blood samples

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Dissent

Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff has strengthened the Health Information Privacy Code 1994 to improve legal protections around newborn babies’ bloodspot samples.  These samples are collected as part of a national newborn metabolic screening programme, also called the heelprick or Guthrie Test. The samples are held permanently unless parents request their return.  The amendment will restrict how information derived from the samples may be used and disclosed.

“DNA testing is getting cheaper and faster all the time and that makes national bloodspot collections more valuable.  Because of this it is possible someone in the future will want to use the collection as a national DNA database.  If this were to happen, trust in the programme would be severely damaged.  To protect this important programme, which saves dozens of lives each year, we want to give parents confidence their babies’ blood samples aren’t going to be misused,” said Ms Shroff.

The changes, which lock in administrative protections developed by the National Screening Unit, came after consultation and met with support from submitters.

The Code amendment also changed the rules for disclosure of health information about serious threats, reflecting a recent Privacy Act amendment.

“Deciding whether to disclose personal information obtained in confidence, to avert a threat, is always a difficult exercise.  The changes mean that health providers can now feel more confident about whether to release information.  They can look at how serious a threat is, how likely it is to occur and how soon it might happen, before deciding to disclose to someone who can help prevent it,” Ms Shroff said

Ms Shroff said there had been two other technical changes to the Code, allowing non-profit emergency health record provider MedicAlert to use the National Health Index number, and making it easier for health organisations to use a national health provider register.

 Source: Privacy Commissioner’s Office

No related posts.

Category: Uncategorized

Post navigation

← SPVM Officier Information Data Leak
CVS seeks to collect employees' health information →

Now more than ever

"Stand with Ukraine:" above raised hands. The illustration is in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.

Search

Browse by Categories

Recent Posts

  • Air Force Employee Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Disclose Unlawfully Classified National Defense Information
  • UK police arrest four in connection with M&S, Co-op and Harrods cyberattacks (1)
  • At U.S. request, France jails Russian basketball player Daniil Kasatkin on suspicion of ransomware conspiracy
  • Avantic Medical Lab hacked; patient data leaked by Everest Group
  • Integrated Oncology Network victim of phishing attack; multiple locations affected (2)
  • HHS’ Office for Civil Rights Settles HIPAA Privacy and Security Rule Investigation with Deer Oaks Behavioral Health for $225k and a Corrective Action Plan
  • HB1127 Explained: North Dakota’s New InfoSec Requirements for Financial Corporations
  • Credit reports among personal data of 190,000 breached, put for sale on Dark Web; IT vendor fined
  • Five youths arrested on suspicion of phishing
  • Russia Jailed Hacker Who Worked for Ukrainian Intelligence to Launch Cyberattacks on Critical Infrastructure

No, You Can’t Buy a Post or an Interview

This site does not accept sponsored posts or link-back arrangements. Inquiries about either are ignored.

And despite what some trolls may try to claim: DataBreaches has never accepted even one dime to interview or report on anyone. Nor will DataBreaches ever pay anyone for data or to interview them.

Want to Get Our RSS Feed?

Grab it here:

https://databreaches.net/feed/

RSS Recent Posts on PogoWasRight.org

  • How to Build on Washington’s “My Health, My Data” Act
  • Department of Justice Subpoenas Doctors and Clinics Involved in Performing Transgender Medical Procedures on Children
  • Google Settles Privacy Class Action Over Period Tracking App
  • ICE Is Searching a Massive Insurance and Medical Bill Database to Find Deportation Targets
  • Franklin, Tennessee Resident Sentenced to 30 Months in Federal Prison on Multiple Cyber Stalking Charges
  • On July 7, Gemini AI will access your WhatsApp and more. Learn how to disable it on Android.
  • German court awards Facebook user €5,000 for data protection violations

Have a News Tip?

Email: Tips[at]DataBreaches.net

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

Contact Me

Email: info[at]databreaches.net

Mastodon: Infosec.Exchange/@PogoWasRight

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

DMCA Concern: dmca[at]databreaches.net
© 2009 – 2025 DataBreaches.net and DataBreaches LLC. All rights reserved.