Grace Jang of KTVA reports that the HIV status of thousands of Alaskans is likely in the hands of a thief: Anchorage Police, along with the Alaskan Aids Assistance Association known as the Four A’s, say the sensitive information was taken earlier this month, but because the investigation is still very active, a lot of…
Author: Dissent
A publicized medical privacy breach can have chilling effects
The other day, I reported a horrific privacy breach that involved a veterans’ very sensitive mental health information being provided to a minister. The breach seemed politically motivated as the veteran had been critical of the government. Such breaches can have a very chilling effect. Michael Staples reports: Revelations that confidential medical and financial information…
Groups urge Congress to exempt them from data breach bill
Eric Chabrow reports: Witnesses testifying Wednesday on a data breach bill called on senators to exempt industries from notifying individuals whose personal information is exposed if other laws require such alerts. Melissa Bianchi, a lawyer representing the American Hospital Association, told the Senate Commerce, Science and Technology Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance Subcommittee, that…
FTC Testifies on Data Security Legislation
The Federal Trade Commission today told a Senate Subcommittee that it supports proposed legislation that would require many companies to use reasonable data security policies and procedures and require those companies to notify consumers when there is a security breach. In testimony before the Committee on Science, Commerce, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product…
“Damages” Last Stand – Maine Supreme Court Puts an End to the Hannaford Bros. Breach Suit
Lawyer David Navetta comments on the decision: We have been following the twists and turns of the Hannaford Bros. security breach litigation from the beginning (see here, here,here, here and here). As of yesterday, it looks like the consumer plaintiffs’ case has suffered the “true death” (my friends and colleagues that watch HBO’s “True Blood” will know what I am…
MO: Thousands Of Mortgage and Personal Documents Strewn Over Lawn
Andy Banker reports: Thousands of abandoned documents, full of people’s personal information, were in an O’Fallon, Missouri, driveway Tuesday, along with a mess that included a recliner, an old bedroom set, TV, and dinner table. There were stacks of mortgage documents with people’s social security numbers, bank accounts, addresses, and phone numbers, sitting right out…