Are you noticing more spam email messages, unsolicited calls, and junk mail? It could be because you have shopped for ObamaCare.
The Associated Press recently reported that healthcare.gov, the federal government’s healthcare exchange website, is quietly sharing the personal data of customers with private marketing and data analysis companies under the guise of providing a better customer experience. Not only does this raise privacy concerns, but it calls into question the judgment of Administration in sharing consumer data without their express consent.
While we don’t know the scope of what information is being shared, AP reports that it could include age, income, ZIP code, smoking habits, and pregnancy status. Combined with the computer’s Internet address, which can also be shared, sophisticated online marketing or advertising firms may be able to identify a person’s name or address.
AP replicated a 10-minute visit to HealthCare.gov and found dozens of websites were accessed behind the scenes including Google's data-analytics service, Twitter, Facebook and a host of online advertising providers. An IT company also analyzed the site and found some 50 third-party connections embedded on HealthCare.gov.
According to the Administration, the data is being used to improve customer experience on the healthcare.gov website, but even a former White House official questions why so many vendors and why so much data is being shared with them.
Apparently, firms are barred from using the data to further their own business interests, but what’s to keep them from doing that or providing the information they collect to other firms and then buying it back? The Administration doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to large-scale IT-related programs and processes – nor do most government agencies. It took a year to get healthare.gov operational after a massive and embarrassing rollout last year. It’s difficult to have much faith in the Administration’s ability to hold its contractors and partners accountable in this case.
CNBC reports:
There is no evidence that personal information has been misused. But connections to dozens of third-party tech firms were documented by technology experts who analyzed HealthCare.gov and then confirmed by AP. A handful of the companies were also collecting highly specific information. That combination is raising concerns.
Leading lawmakers on Tuesday asked the administration to explain how it oversees the data firms to make sure no personally identifiable information is improperly used or shared.
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A former White House chief information officer, Theresa Payton, said third-party vendors are a weak link on any website. She questioned both the number of vendors on HealthCare.gov and the specific details some of them are collecting.
"You don't need all of that data to do customer service," said Payton, who served under President George W. Bush. "We know hackers are just waiting at the door, salivating to get at this data."
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Administration spokesman Aaron Albright said outside vendors "are prohibited from using information from these tools on HealthCare.gov for their companies' purposes." The government uses them to measure the performance of HealthCare.gov so consumers get "a simpler, more streamlined and intuitive experience," he said.
The administration did not explain how it ensures that companies were following the government's privacy and security policies.
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Still, the outside connections surprised a tech expert who evaluated HealthCare.gov's performance for the AP.
"Personally, I look at this … and I don't know what is going on between the government and Facebook, and Google, and Twitter," said Mehdi Daoudi, CEO of Catchpoint Systems. "Why is that there?"
If you care about privacy and civil liberties, this report should raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
Our government expresses an interest in protecting us from hacking and cyber security threats, yet it’s turning over our private information to private companies. The question is: What is the Administration getting in return?
There are many fundamental problems with ObamaCare. As we’ve contended, the failures of the Healthcare.gov website and other state exchange websites are only surface problems with the President’s sweeping healthcare reform law that has done little to actually bring needed reforms to the healthcare system.
We raised privacy concerns early on, specifically that the treasure trove of personal information being shared across agencies to make enrollments possible would be a hacker’s dream. Little did we know that the government is actually giving away that kind of information.
Once again, this is of concern to those with ObamaCare coverage or considering obtaining coverage. Your healthcare is neither free nor cheap. There are the visible costs to taxpayers via hefty subsidies, but we now know that there is an unseen cost of your private information slipping away to those you’ll never know.