Email chain mishap exposes data of 3,700
Disabled clients see their data compromised
An Anchorage, Alaska-based nonprofit group that provides health services to people with disabilities is notifying 3,700 individuals of a privacy breach after it sent out their protected information in an email chain.
Officials at Hope Community Resources of Alaska confirmed the email was sent out Monday evening and included the names, addresses, dates of birth, guardians and parents and protected health information of disabled clients, according to a report in the Alaska Dispatch.
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The email was addressed to state employees and others who work directly with the disabled. Officials say the chain email pertained to the potential loss of funding if the organization failed to receive certain accreditation by June 2015.
“We plan to notify everyone involved and will be sending out an apology letter to everyone who had their personal information disclosed in the attachment,” said Tonya Rambow, HCR chief of staff, to Alaska Dispatch.
Clients have also called the organization to voice frustration over the incident, some expressing concern that the emailed list could lead to discrimination against specific individuals for their disabilities.
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Privacy & Security
