-Caveat Lector- washingtonpost.com http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37585-2003Feb6.html Discarded Computer Had Confidential Medical Information
By Charles Wolfe Associated Press Writer Thursday, February 6, 2003; 5:34 PM FRANKFORT, Ky. –– A state computer put up for sale as surplus contained confidential files naming thousands of people with AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases, the state auditor said Thursday. "This is significant data. It's a lot of information with lots of names and things like (the numbers of) sexual partners of those who are diagnosed with AIDS," Auditor Ed Hatchett said. "It's a terrible security breach." The computer, which had been awaiting sale at the state's surplus- property office, never left state custody, Hatchett said. It was one of eight computers the auditor's office had randomly selected from a consignment that was being offered to state agencies and nonprofit groups. Hatchett's office, which routinely conducts such checks, paid $25 each for the computers, which would have been offered to the public if they had gone unsold. Health Services Secretary Marcia Morgan said the computer, used from 1995 to 1999, came from an agency she oversees involved with counseling on sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Morgan said the computer's hard drive was thought to have been wiped clean when it was shipped off for sale late last year. She has ordered an internal investigation into the breach. B.J. Bellamy, the auditor's chief information officer, said the hard drive appeared to contain several thousand individual files. Sex partners of the individuals are counted but not named, he said. © 2003 The Associated Press Forwarded for your information. The text and intent of the article have to stand on their own merits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many genera- tions. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumoured by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it." The Buddha on Belief, from the Kalama Sut <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
