The personal data was discovered by Aaron Titus, a researcher with Identity Finder who then alerted Hecht’s firm and The Associated Press. He found it through Internet searches, a common tactic for finding private information posted on unsecured sites.

The data were “available to anyone in the world with half a brain and access to Google," Titus says.

Dozens of companies can be authorized to handle a single person’s medical records. The further away from the health care provider the records get, the flimsier the enforcement mechanisms for ensuring the data are protected.

As instances of data mishandling become more commonplace, government officials may seek greater control over security policies of companies with access to health care records that aren’t currently regulated.

August 12, 2011. Insurance companies are pushing new "usage based insurance" (UBI) options, including telematic systems or "spy" devices (installed on the vehicle) to monitor an insured's driving and mileage habits. The insurance industry is touting such "spy" devices as a good deal for consumers, since they will reward safe driving habits. How long will it be until installation of such devices will be REQUIRED on ALL vehicles?

The driving habits of personal auto consumers are shaping the way carriers price coverage today. Those carriers providing usage-based insurance (UBI) options are finding increased interest from consumers thanks to driver discounts for customers willing to participate. UBI programs have become more popular recently as big auto insurance carriers like Progressive and Safeco launch new product options.

"I can't get through a week without having two or three more insurers asking to get more info about usage-based insurance in general or [our program] Drive Ability," says Robin Harbage, Towers Watson. "It is the hottest thing going on in auto insurance and everybody is realizing how it is changing insurance."

Progressive's program, SnapShot, provides a device that is installed in the insured vehicle. It accesses the car's computer and tracks how much the insured drives, how they drive and what time of day they drive, and collects other information such as the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the odometer reading.