Atrium Health disclosed a data breach affecting 585,000 individuals to the HHS, potentially linked to the use of online tracking tools.
Healthcare company Atrium Health disclosed a data breach that impacted 585,000 individuals. The company notified the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Atrium Health launched an investigation into the security breach and discovered that from January 2015 to July 2019, certain online tracking technologies were active on its MyAtriumHealth (formerly MyCarolinas) Patient Portal, accessible via web and mobile. These tools, designed to enhance user experience, may have transmitted personal information to third-party vendors like Google and Meta (formerly Facebook). Though the tracking was disabled in July 2019, a recent review revealed historical use, prompting Atrium Health to notify users. Since it is unclear what specific data was transmitted, the company is notifying all users who accessed the portal during the affected period as a precaution. Impacts vary depending on users’ browsers, cookies, and third-party account activity.
“Earlier this year, we revisited this review of online technologies on the Patient Portal, this time examining the use of these technologies during the period from January 2015 to present. As a result of the review, we determined that such technologies had been historically used on certain portions of the Patient Portal before being removed and/or disabled in July 2019.” reads the notice of a Privacy Matter published by the organization. “As it is not possible to conclusively determine what data was transmitted to third parties, out of an abundance of caution, we have assumed that all users whose MyAtriumHealth or MyCarolinas Patient Portal was accessed from January 2015 – July 2019 may have been affected. Individual users may have been impacted differently based on their choice of web browser; the configuration of their browser(s); their blocking, clearing or use of cookies; whether they had accounts with our third-party vendors, such as Meta, Google or similar media platforms; whether they were logged into such accounts; and the specific actions taken on the platform by the user.”
The potential exposed data includes IP addresses, third-party identifiers/cookies, and, in some cases, information about a patient’s treatment or provider if included in a URL or button text. Additionally, if users filled out forms, data such as name, email, phone number, address, and gender may have been shared with third-party vendors. The company pointed out that no Social Security numbers, financial accounts, or credit/debit card information were affected.
“There is no evidence that any information that may have been shared with these third parties has been misused in any way. Moreover, the nature of the information that could have been collected would be very unlikely to result in identity theft or any financial harm.” added Atrium Health.
Atrium Health recently disclosed another incident, in April attackers accessed employee email accounts via phishing attacks. These compromised accounts contained sensitive information on patients and employees, including Social Security numbers, bank account details, access credentials, and treatment/diagnosis information. Affected individuals were notified in September.
In November 2018, Hospital network Atrium Health suffered another data breach, hackers accessed patients’ personal information after compromising the technology solutions provider AccuDoc.
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