WFB: The Department of Veterans Affairs illegally granted roughly 25,000 people access to veterans’ personal information including social security numbers, addresses, and medical histories, according to a government watchdog.
The agency’s inspector general found that numerous VA and agency-affiliated employees across the country had access to sensitive information stored on unprotected shared servers, even if they had no official reasons to be privy to such information. Those practices left veterans “at significant risk” of having their identities misused or stolen.
“Without better protection, veterans and VA are at risk,” the inspector general report said. “Veterans are at significant risk of unauthorized disclosure and misuse of their sensitive personal information. This has the potential to expose veterans to fraud and identity theft.”
The watchdog report, published last week, stemmed from a whistleblower complaint at VA offices in Milwaukee originally filed in September 2018. The investigation found that both VA employees and members of veterans service organizations had unauthorized access to private data. Veterans service organizations are authorized by the VA to help veterans acclimate to a civilian lifestyle and navigate the VA bureaucracy.
The inspector general concluded that the problem was a “national issue” because anyone in the country with the appropriate credentials could access the private information. It remains unclear whether veterans living outside of the Milwaukee area were also affected. read more
Veterans at risk from the VA? What a shock.
Unfortunately, I have low, (but realistic doubts), expectations anyone will face any punishment for HIPPA violations. Which I’m assuming much of this would be subject to. Along with violating other laws.
https://www.hipaajournal.com/common-hipaa-violations/ .
Back in the early 90s, I had a total asshole doctor interview me, and wrote just a bunch of revenge data in my file.
About a year later, I asked for my file, sat in the V.A. lobby and looked at all the paper, before all of that was digitized as it is now, and found what he had written, took his name down, took the paper home, then made some anonymous complaints about him to the hospital, numerous times.
I have no doubt those louts would be more than glad to share data with whomever wanted it, they are mostly good people, but about 20% are just total careless jerks.
Last time I had to renew my DL there was included an offer to apply for the Real ID which is a Federal ID soon to be required for air travel. I looked into it and decided against it because of the personal info they wanted. Do not regret passing on it.
The Incompetent hiring the incompetent.
i.e.
Incompetence begats incompetence.
If you thought the Swamp wuz bad just wait ’till you get to the incompetence!
I never got/heard this news till iotwreport flagged it here, this AM. Doesn’t make me comfortable at all.