Naked Airport: Privacy and Flying

 In another example of the tug of war between privacy and security, get ready to fly naked or at least to be fully exposed before taking your seat.

According to a Boston Globe article, “ Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) officials will implement full body scan machines at Boston’s Logan International Airport this fall, and at another 19 of the nation’s busiest airports by the end of next year.”

The article states that no one will see the revealing images except security agents staring at computer screens in nearby rooms.   In addition, the body scans will be deleted after agents examine them to determine if there is any “suspect” materials lurking underneath.  The friendly skies just found new meaning.

Privacy proponents are naturally alarmed at the potential intrusion.  Barry Steinhardt, Director of the ACLU’s technology and liberty program, gets the privacy quote of the week on this issue.  “I liken this to the equivalent of walking naked through a room with a bag over your head while somebody peers from the balcony above you. Most passengers would be horrified.” he said

It will be interesting to see if the ACLU and other privacy advocates challenge the new airport screening systems and another chapter will likely be written in the privacy versus security tug of war.

e Medical Records, What will happen to HIPPA?

Google and Microsoft want to become your virtual closet to store your medical records.    See Google Health.  Or  Microsoft Health Vault.    Both companies have created systems where individuals can collect, store and manage health records.   Other similar systems include Revolution Health founded by AOL‘s Steve Case. 

Think of it is way, you’re on that safari in Bangladesh and the camel throws you to the ground knocking you unconscious.  You are taken to the local free clinic.  The doctor will need to know if you’re allegric to any medicines.  One look at your Google Health file, and presto, there is your penicillin allergy.

The benefits of e medical systems are potentially vast.    Lower costs and increased efficiency as well as patient autonomy over their records are often cited as benefits of these systems.     But what is the potential cost to individual privacy? 

What about HIPPA?   Does HIPPA cover E medical records?  The answer is no. e Medical Record systems are not “covered entities” subject to the provisions of HIPPA.  Currently,  HIPPA is limited to  health care providers and insurers.

As a result,  e Medical companies can create their own rules with no legal and or regulatory scrutiny.    All of these systems have comprehensive privacy policies, but for now they are under no legislative mandates.

This will likely change, as Congress could ultimately expand the scope of HIPPA to include e Medical records systems.   But that too will raise interesting questions for privacy and medical professionals.  How valuable is HIPPA today?   Is HIPPA in need of a touch of make-up or a complete make-over?   What are the entities that will be covered if the definition of covered entity is expanded to include e Medical record providers?   

The electronic medical records privacy debate has begun.   The value of HIPPA will play a critical role in this debate.  Look for some type of congressional action during the next Congressional session.