BLOOMSBURY PATIENT NETWORK FINED FOR HIV STATUS LEAK

A Serious Data Breach

The Data Protection Act 1988 specifically protects our rights to confidentiality and privacy, as do a number of other pieces of legislation we often use to make sure victims get the justice that they deserve. In this case, the consequences can often be so much more serious given the nature of the information that has been disclosed.

This isn't the first time this has happened, and sadly, it probably won't be the last. The most recent serious incident you may have seen in the news is that of the 56 Dean Street clinic where an incident almost identical to this one occurred, affecting around 800 patients of a sexual health clinic. Patient's rights to privacy and confidentiality being breached in such a way can have serious repercussions for the victims, and it should never happen.

When we assess cases and incidents, we look at the failings or the lack of systems in place. Reports found that an "old mailing system" was one of the causes of the Bloomsbury Patient Network data breach, and the usual quote of "human error" made its appearance. In today's digital age, we can employ systems to protect people's data, and this should always be used. Yet time and time again data is mishandled, and in cases like this, the consequences can be terrifying.