Researchers who used to search medical records for potential participants in their clinical trials of new medications or medical treatments must now rely on doctors for patient referrals. As a researcher, I fully understand how this can be viewed as hindrance by medical researchers. However, as a public citizen I’m happy to see that HIPAA is having an impact on those trying to access my sensitive medical information without my knowledge. ThePrivacyPlace.Org recently released an Analysis of Web Site Privacy Policy Evolution in the Presence of HIPAA that you may find interesting.

For more information on HIPAA prohibiting researchers from reviewing medical records, see: Privacy rule builds biomedical research bottleneck.

– aia

The Patriot Act, passed shortly after 9/11, was designed in part to make it easier for the government to monitor suspected terrorists. However, it had been under a great deal of scrutiny by critics who think it gives the government too much power to gather information. One of those criticisms involved the ability to secretly search information ISPs (Internet service providers) and phone companies have about their customers. The American Civil Liberties Union sued, claiming that these expanded privileges violate the Forth Amendment. Yesterday a U.S. District Judge agreed, ruling the powers unconstitutional.

Read more here [CNN].