Massive Data Breach Could Impact 13.4 Million Patients: Safeguard Your Information Now

Imagine going to the doctor, only to find out that your private information has been leaked to third-party companies. That’s exactly what happened to millions of people in the United States when healthcare service provider Kaiser Permanente disclosed a data security incident.

Kaiser Permanente is a huge name in the world of healthcare, operating as an integrated managed care consortium and one of the largest nonprofit health plans in the U.S. With 40 hospitals and 618 medical facilities across the nation, it’s a big deal when they report a security breach.

So, just how many people were affected by this breach? Approximately 13.4 million current and former members and patients had their information leaked to third-party trackers installed on Kaiser’s websites and mobile applications.

What Information Was Leaked?

According to Kaiser Permanente, the leaked data may include IP addresses, names, information that could indicate a member or patient was signed into a Kaiser Permanente account or service, details showing how a member or patient interacted with and navigated through the website and mobile applications, and search terms used in the health encyclopedia.

Now, you might be thinking, “That doesn’t sound too bad.” But here’s the thing: information collected by online trackers is often shared with an extensive network of marketers, advertisers, and data brokers. So, your private health information could be in the hands of people you never intended to share it with.

Thankfully, the data exposed in this incident does not include usernames, passwords, Social Security Numbers (SSNs), financial account information, or credit card numbers.

What Is Kaiser Permanente Doing About It?

After discovering the trackers through a voluntary internal investigation, Kaiser Permanente removed them and implemented additional measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

While they are not aware of any cases of the exposed information being misused, they will notify individuals who accessed their sites and used their mobile apps out of an abundance of caution.

This isn’t the first time Kaiser Permanente has dealt with a data breach. In June 2022, they disclosed a breach that exposed the health information of 69,000 people, caused by unauthorized access to an employee’s email account.

What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?

Data breaches are becoming more and more common, and it’s essential to stay informed and proactive in protecting your personal information. If you’re concerned about your data privacy, consider reaching out to us at IT Services. We’re here to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity and ensure your private information stays private.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact us today and let us help you safeguard your digital life.