WPMI reports from Alabama on what they found when they went dumpster diving at about a dozen title loan and cash advance businesses in the Mobile, Alabama area: In the dumpster out front of Alabama Title Loans on busy Springhill Avenue, I found dozens of documents, not shredded, and all full of personal information. “Here’s…
UK: Welsh councils broke data protection laws 60 times
Alun Jones reports: Local authorities in Wales broke data protection laws over 60 times in 2012, BBC Wales has learned. In one case a worker allowed their partner to access and amend personal data. There were also several cases of posting personal data on websites, and an e-mail which accidentally disclosed sensitive details of 24…
Boxes with personal info found in trash
We really need stronger laws protecting the security and disposal of paper records. Today’s example is from Beaverton, Oregon: Seven large boxes filled with personal information of clients from the Sylvan Learning Center, including names, birth dates, Social Security numbers and credit card information, were found in a Dumpster in Beaverton. Read more on KOIN….
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…