Google launched their long awaited Google Health this week. One of the features is to allow individuals to store their medical records with Google. The idea of online medical records has an appeal but the application has significant security risks.

Every other Google user agreement says that the data is the property of Google. That means they can sell your information and place ads on your records. I don't know about you but I am not so comfortable with a business having this personal information and then using it for marketing.

The UCLA Medical Center has announced the firing of 13 employees and suspended six others for snooping in the medical records of the hospitals famous clients. Some who had their files opened include Maria Shriver, George Clooney, and Britney Spears. Along with the employees, several physicians also faced disciplinary action for improper accessing of medical records.


The breaches were discovered through an audit of logs which screens staff members for what they view and for how long. Palisades Medical Center in New Jersey had a similar problem and suspended 24 staff members for accessing George Clooney's medical records from there.

Can George Clooney's blood pressure be that interesting?