FC: University accidentally posts child psychological records online

From: Declan McCullagh (declanat_private)
Date: Wed Nov 07 2001 - 23:08:22 PST

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    Date: Wed, 07 Nov 2001 13:55:01 -0600
    To: declanat_private
    From: Peter Swire <pswireat_private>
    Subject: Kids' Psych Records Placed on Web
    
             From the front page of today's LA Times.  "Web Mishap: Kids' 
    Psychological Files Posted"
    
             "Detailed psychological records containing the innermost secrets 
    of at least 62 children and teenagers were accidentally posted on the 
    University of Montana Web site last week in one of the most glaring 
    violations of privacy over the Internet.
    
             "The 400 pages of documents describe patient visits and offer 
    diagnoses by therapists of mental retardation, depression, schizophrenia 
    and other serious conditions.
    
             "In nearly all cases, they contain complete names, dates of birth 
    and sometimes home addresses and schools attended, along with results of 
    psychological testing. ...
    
             Full story at 
    http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-110701private.story
    
             The story, I think, is further evidence that privacy and security 
    practices need to keep improving for health care.  National medical privacy 
    rules are scheduled for implementation in April, 2003, including for online 
    records, but HHS has not yet issued the accompanying computer security rules.
    
             Peter
    
    Prof. Peter P. Swire, Ohio State University
    Visiting, George Washington Law School, 2001-02
    Former Chief Counselor for Privacy, U.S. Office of Management & Budget
    Phone: (301) 213-9587 or (202) 994-0812
    web: www.osu.edu/units/law/swire.htm
    
    
    
    
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