Nancy Collamer reports: As useful as health apps and fitness apps may be, a stunning new report from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a consumer education and advocacy nonprofit, says they may also pose “considerable privacy risks” for users. The group came to this conclusion after studying 43 of the most popular wellness apps (half for iPhones, half for Androids; 23…
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The curious case of Alex Rodriguez and his stolen medical records
Update of December 12: See the update/follow-up here. Several months ago, I was contacted by a reader who asked me about the Alex Rodriguez case and whether there was a HIPAA breach. I responded, via e-mail, that I didn’t know as the clinic was no longer in operation and I didn’t have any information on…
MO HealthNet notifying 1,357 of breach
KRCG reports: MO HealthNet is in the process of notifying 1,357 individuals that some of their personal information was mailed to an incorrect address by one of its contractors, Infocrossing, Inc. The disclosure was caused by a software programming error. No medical or financial information was released as a result of the inadvertent mailing. The…
Very Big Data: Japan to create nationwide network to share patient medical info
Interesting news from Japan: The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry plans to build an Internet-based network that would allow medical institutions nationwide to share patients’ medical treatment and drug prescription records–a move that is also likely to make it easier for patients to switch hospitals or leave one to recover at home, according to ministry…
UK: Landlord's shock as mental health records are found in attic
Concerns over patient confidentiality have been raised by a Hakin landlord who found stacks of medical records stashed away in his attic. Peter Eaton said he was shocked to find five bin bags-full of mental health records hidden between the joists and under the fibreglass of his attic when he was renovating his property in…
Would a federal data breach notification law be A Good Thing or not for healthcare?
Modern Healthcare covered a Congressional hearing this week to consider a federal data breach notification law. Congress has been kicking the idea around for years, but one of the big stumbling blocks has been whether any such law would pre-empt state laws. I have long been on record supporting a federal law that pre-empts state…