IP: Query from the UK RE: Targeted marketing gets personal

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

From: Stuart Schwartzstein <sschwartzstein () onreur navy mil>
To: "'farber () cis upenn edu'" <farber () cis upenn edu>


Dave,


This message was both very interesting and very timely: just after
reading it, I received a telephone call from a member of the House of
Lords who is interested in UK legislation on data protection.  


One of the questions she raised is: in the U.S. who owns medical
information/date?  Is it the individual patient?  The physician or
provider of medical services?


Another question she has is whether there is anything restricting US
government agencies from cross-matching files. I don't know -- except
that, I assume, where criminal investigations (and IRS?) are concerned
it is not just permitted but encouraged.  But can HHS request
information on individuals from, for example, the Veterans
Administration?  


Any information you or others might have on these would be much
appreciated.


All best and thanks,


Stuart 


> ----------
> From:  Dave Farber[SMTP:farber () cis upenn edu]
> Sent:  16 February 1998 19:47
> To:    ip-sub-1 () majordomo pobox com
> Subject:       IP: Targeted marketing gets personal
>
>
>
> DRUGSTORE DATABASE USE RAISES PRIVACY ISSUES CVS Corp. and Giant Food Inc.
> are using a computer database marketing specialist to send personalized
> letters to customers who haven't refilled their prescriptions, reminding
> them to keep taking their medicine and pitching new products that treat the
> customer's ailments.  The editor of the Journal of the American Medical
> Association calls the practice a "breach of fundamental medical issues" and
> asks:  "Do you want ... the great computer in the sky to have a computer
> list of every drug you take, from which can be deduced your likely diseases
> -- and all without your permission?"  CVS and Giant Food say their efforts
> are merely intended to help customers stay healthy.  (Washington Post 15
> Feb 98)
>
> Edupage, 15 February 1998.