In 1973 the U.S. Dept of Health Education and Welfare (HEW) to look at the impact of computerization on medical records privacy. The members wanted to develop policies that would allow the benefits of computerization to go forward, but at the same time provide safeguards for personal privacy.

San Diego County Technology Summit
San Diego County Supervisors
 

Presentation by Beth Givens

Thank you Chairman Horn for convening this Technology Summit today, and for inviting me to speak.

Privacy has become one of the hottest societal and public policy issues of our time. You can't open up a newspaper these days without seeing an article about the implications of a new technological development affecting personal privacy.

Anna bought several pieces of furniture at a store. When she tried to pay by check, she was asked to show her driver's license. The clerk took her license and placed it on a pre-marked spot on the counter. She looked up and saw a camera on the ceiling. She complained that her driver's license had been photographed without her permission, canceled her order and left the store. She followed up by writing a complaint letter to them and to her legislator.

Anna's name has been changed to protect her privacy.

Marsha's home fax machine happens to have a telephone number similar to one of a health care facility. On several occasions, the local hospital has faxed patient records to her home. Even though Mary has called the hospital several times to warn them of their error, they continue to make the mistake.

Marsha's name has been changed to protect her privacy.

June 10-14, 1997

Session One: Data Base Study, P974806

• Pre-Conference Written Comments, April 14, 1997
• Oral Presentation at June 10, 1997, Workshop
• Post-Workshop Comments, July 14, 1997

Pre-Conference Written Comments, April 14, 1997

Sally's home was badly damaged in an earthquake. She had to vacate it so that repairs could be made. The phone company was unable to find her new address in order to mail the final bill and eventually sent her bill to their collection department.

Mark and his wife shopped for maternity clothes to prepare for the upcoming birth of their baby. The maternity clothing store wanted their names and address. When they asked that their names not be sold to marketers, they were told that the store never sells such data. They soon began receiving baby-related offers in the mail. When Mark traced the solicitations back, he discovered that the maternity store had sold their information.

Mark's name has been changed to protect his privacy.

Leslie didn't keep up with the college from which she graduated and was surprised when the college's alumni association was able to locate her. When she investigated, she found out that the university had given her Social Security number to its alumni association which then obtained her current address by purchasing the credit header (name, name variations, address, former addresses, year and month of birth and Social Security number) from a credit bureau. She would like to sue the college for releasing her Social Security number to the alumni association.

Testimony of Beth Givens, Director, to California Legislature Joint Task Force on Personal Information and Privacy

Senator Steve Peace, Chair

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this Advisory Committee and to make a presentation this morning.

Speech by Beth Givens, PRC Director

Privacy and Customer Service in the Electronic Age:
Internet Access to the Personal Earnings and Benefits Statement
San Jose, CA