From DutchNews.nl: Private information about patients is ‘there for the taking’ at some Dutch pharmacies, according to a new report by the privacy watchdog CBP, theVolkskrant reports on Friday. Local authority and amusement park data bases are also extremely vulnerable to hackers, the watchdog says. The CPB looked at 15 public and private organisations in terms…
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Hospitals mine – and aggregate – patient records in search of customers
Phil Galewitz of Kaiser Health News reports: When the oversized postcard arrived last August from Provena St. Joseph Medical Center promoting a lung cancer screening for current or former smokers over 55, Steven Boyd wondered how the hospital had found him. Boyd, 59, of Joliet, Ill., had smoked for decades, as had his wife, Karol….
NZ: 'Imminent’ changes to privacy law
Jen de Montalk reports: Health sector workers have two chances to make submissions on proposed amendments to the Privacy Act 1993 which will affect how health data is shared, according to the privacy commissioner. The privacy commissioner’s office has been working alongside the Law Commission to update the way agencies delivering public services use and…
Programming Note
A number of regular readers have e-mailed to ask why the blog is not being updated as frequently as it usually is. The answer is simple, but sad: my mother is dying. Updates will continue to be sporadic for a while as I am at the hospice every day to spend time with her as…
MN parents file lawsuit over DNA collection from newborns
Dionne Cordell-Whitney reports: Minnesota collects DNA samples from newborn children, then illegally keeps the genetic information and shares it with third parties without informed consent of the parents, parents say in a class action. Lead plaintiffs Nathan and Katrina Anderson sued the state, the Minnesota Department of Health, and its commissioner, in Hennepin County Court….
Programming Note
A number of regular readers have e-mailed to ask why the blog is not being updated as frequently as it usually is. The answer is simple, but sad: my mother is dying. Updates will continue to be sporadic for a while as I am at the hospice every day to spend time with her as…