The continuous increase in data breaches at health care providers has raised privacy concerns. There were some studies conducted in order to find out the main cause of these breaches. Some of the hospitals surveyed said that it is due to insufficient funding for security. Others said that lost or stolen devices contributed greatly to the sudden surge in data breaches. The first reason could be attributed more to the government’s priorities in dispensing funds, but the second one seems to point to human error, or the lack of knowledge on the part of the health care professionals on how to secure patient data.

Mobile technology is now widely used in almost all private and public organizations. The use of smartphones or tablets has made it very convenient for people to manage data. Doctors and other health care professionals are now using these gadgets for electronic health records. These tools, as observers point out, lack the much needed, required security. Working on their own, some doctors are using these gadgets without ample knowledge on the use of encryption technology, or even passwords.

For every increase in the number of shoppers who visit retail stores, there is a corresponding increase in incidents of identity theft and fraud. It seems that it is connected with the use of credit cards, checks and identification documents. Shoppers have been warned to be extra careful when using these personal information-containing cards and documents. Thieves are out there waiting for the right opportunity to steal personal information or to commit fraud. The holiday season encourages them to heighten their operations because shoppers seem to be more energized than observant.

In the United States, at least two regions have reported a large increase in identity crimes, most of which are data breaches. The cost of information that is stolen from companies costs more than $150 billion in the national picture. This was reported by LifeLock Consumer Education that spanned the years from 2005 to 2010. The theory is that this is a result of technology that criminals take advantage of, plus human error on the part of consumers.

Everybody seems to be interested in everyone else’s privacy. Different privacy issues crop up from one day to another, and people might lose their privacy if it is left unguarded. This time, there is another issue that privacy advocates have observed besides those of online matters. Shopping cards have now been included as one of the items that pose privacy risks.

There are doubts about supermarkets collecting a great deal of consumer data via electronic shopper cards or e-cards. This vast amount of information could then be combined with other biometric technology. With some data processing, a person’s in-depth personal database could be easily built. All of this could occur without the consent or knowledge of the person concerned.

What is the big deal about shopping cards getting onto the list of items that pose privacy risks? Studies were conducted to find out how stores can attract people to use their cards. Card experts say that shoppers do not receive special benefits with e-cards, despite the good offers. There is no real savings because the prices of the items that are included in the “deals” are usually marked up.

If the plan to update the U.S. online privacy rules for children will be approved, it will include teenagers, aged 13 to 17. Because of this, debates during hearings in Congress started as the House does not have a common stand on this issue. Parents of children under the age of 13 are given the right to decide what information about their children can be collected by websites and other providers. These parents will still hold the same power if the rule would be revised, but this time that power will extend to an older age group.

Supporters of the revision say that there is a need to update the law’s provisions. They say that today’s breed of teenagers is not mature enough to evaluate and be aware of the dangerous aspects of the internet. They observe that children are becoming more technologically advanced. This makes it possible for them to effortlessly cope with the fast changing technology. What they lack is the ability to self-regulate in time with existing technology. This can result in privacy problems, thus the need to include children in the higher age bracket.

Websites and other providers are required to obtain verifiable approval from parents before they can collect information from children. This means that the consent must be proven to have been given by the parents. The revised consent will use more sophisticated verification methods. Examples are video-conferencing and electronic scans of consent forms, which would be signed by parents. Lack of this evidence will prohibit the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information of children.

This blog is intended for Filipinos in the Philippines and all over the world. It’s good to get updated with privacy issues and how these affect people in different parts of the world. Read on…

Hindi nauunawaan ng karamihan sa mga mahihilig sa internet na maaari silang makulong kapag sila ay nagbibigay ng pekeng impormasyon tungkol sa kanilang sarili. Sa pamamagitan ng blog na ito, ang mga gumagamit ng Facebook ay mag-iisip muna ng maraming beses. Maaaring nakatatawa o parang walang halaga, subalit marami nang ganitong mga kaso. Maraming internet users ang naparusahan dahil sa paglabag sa “terms of use” ng isang website na hindi naman talaga binabasa.

Sa ngayon, ang ganitong batas ukol sa “cybersecurity” ay maaari pang palawakin ng U.S. Congress. Matatandaang mayroon nang Computer Fraud and Abuse Act na naipasa sa bansa noon pang 1986. Ito ay sumasaklaw sa lalo pang lumalaganap na computer hacking. Ang batas na ito ay nirerebisa at pinalalawak tuwing nakatakdang panahon. Sa ngayon may posibilidad na ito’y sumakop nang mas malawak na saklaw kaysa sa hacking lamang.

Once more, a data breach committed against patients’ hospital records stirred up privacy concerns. This time, it involved thousands of emergency room patients’ data that was posted online. The New York Times reported that Stanford Hospital in California verified that the records belonged to them, yet they are not certain as to how that data was stolen and who stole it.

The data has been on a commercial website for almost a year already, but the breach was discovered only last month. A hospital representative said that the data first appeared on that website on September 9, 2010. This makes it hard for hospital officials to tell exactly who committed the offense. There are many third parties who can actually gain access to this hospital data, and it could be any one of them.

There are many policies and regulations in place that oblige companies to publicly reveal data breaches. These laws impose heavy fines to give strength to such legislations. Experts on medical security connect the breach on the presence of too many outside contractors that are able to gain access to private hospital data.

Facebook has been plagued with many privacy issues over the years. Users have questioned some features that loosen the control they have over their own privacy. While the features’ intention was to enhance the user’s experience, problems arose, particularly with content sharing. The company responded by making changes to its privacy features hoping to give users more control over their privacy. Some of these changes were accepted and used, but others have ignited even more complaints.

This past week, Facebook publicized that it is giving its millions of users more enhanced privacy control. These changes will be out on the internet in the coming days, and users will be given an opportunity to try them when they become available. The new privacy features will, as a whole, make it easier for users to know what people will see about them online and who will see their posts.

Users can easily know who can see all that they post with just a few clicks. They can also opt to block photos that are unwanted, and those items tagged by others from their profile page. Facebook hopes to see that users will have more understanding of these settings by changing such terms from “everyone” to “public”. Users used to think that “everyone” simply meant everyone on the social networking site. The term really meant every person on the internet.

There is a growing awareness among users about online privacy. Unlike in the past, they have become more conscious of online crime and fraud. Present-day users recognize the need for setting privacy limits whenever they go surfing. They want to be informed about how their shared information will be handled. Users are now demanding that online retailers give them the protection that they need.

A recent survey among users found a new, emerging trend in fraud consciousness. A privacy research firm and a fraud prevention provider joined efforts in the survey. In their report, the survey found out that 85% of users today worry about becoming an online fraud victim. Compared with 80% in the last similar survey that they conducted, this new figure posted a significant increase. The survey asked the respondents about identity theft, credit card scams, spam, phishing, and others.

The results also tell that users want web retailers to intensify their efforts in combating online fraud. Furthermore, they urge retailers to do their best to stop online criminals from stealing consumer information. They even said that they are willing to be identified online by trusted sites. They suggested the use of computer serial number, ISP, computer type and make for authentication purposes. This will replace the usual personally identifiable information like telephone number and date of birth, which are relatively not safe.

Microsoft was first to announce its opt-out technology for users of the internet. Now, Google and Mozilla have also taken concrete steps to give users the freedom of opting out of tracking cookies. Google will also improve its Chrome browser by providing an add-on. Users will soon be free from tracking cookies that monitor their movement and online behavior. From now on, tech companies will find ways to establish a balance between revenue generation and individual privacy protection.

The online advertising industry has been advocating for self-regulation. It has not reacted positively to discussions in regards to privacy protection. There have been many proposals for enhanced privacy policies that protect individual privacy. This recent development will mark the beginning of giving users more control over their personal information.

Many users do not realize the possible consequences of sharing their personal information online. They do not take time to thoroughly read the website’s privacy policies. It is either that they do not understand how their data will be handled, or they do not realize the importance of understanding. Only when they receive unsolicited advertisements – a consequence for being careless – do they realize the need for privacy protection.

You can easily get spammed if you want the easy way out of your weight problem. The fact is that there have been many email users who have lost money due to bogus offers that get into their spam inbox. To avoid falling into a trap, make sure that the claims are true and the site can be trusted. Con artists have become more cunning recently so that they can make their claims appear legitimate. It could seem simple at the start, but it could cost you your privacy in the long run.

Generally, there are two types of weight loss claims that are sent through spam mail. The first one claims that a product such as a pill, cream, patch, or others can guarantee weight loss even without dieting or exercise. The second are those that claim to block fat absorption, calories or carbohydrates so you don’t gain weight.

What makes weight loss spam mails interesting is revealed by a New York-based research. One in five, or 20%, of young, overweight people have been victims of email spam. The research also revealed more related statistics about these mails. First, 88% of overweight individuals say they received spam that “sells” weight loss products as opposed to 73% of other respondents. Second, 42% of overweight individuals say they opened these emails compared to 18% of other respondents. Third, 18% of overweight individuals say they bought these products, while only 5% of other respondents did the same.