The unprecedented leak of health data in France, this Tuesday, February 23, highlighted the sensitivity of this information but also the way in which it is secured. But what is health data?
Quite simply, information about a patient. These may be illnesses, test results or even healthcare services. This may relate to a disability, medical history, clinical treatment, or the person’s physiological condition. In short, these data provide direct information on the state of health of a person.
But medical data can provide information beyond a person’s state of health, “for example, religion in order to adapt meals during hospitalization or the information on racial origin necessary to prescribe certain treatments” , details Pierre Desmarais, Parisian lawyer, specializing in health law.
These precious data can be collected by Social Security but also mutual insurance companies, health establishments (analysis laboratories, hospitals, etc.) or even independent doctors (general practitioners and specialists).
Secure servers
For all these reasons, health data is considered sensitive. As such, they are the subject of special protection by legislative texts in order to guarantee respect for the privacy of individuals. At your doctor’s office, in a pharmacy, or even in an analysis laboratory, your data is all stored on computers. Access to these tools is particularly secure. “As a general rule, these entities or administrations call on private service providers who offer turnkey offers”, specifies Jérôme Notin, CEO of cybermalveillance.gouv.fr.
Anyone wishing to access it must identify themselves with their professional card. Thus, each consultation of your data leaves a trace in a history.
So many precautions that do not always protect against piracy. Identity theft, phishing, but also telephone scams are among the risks incurred after data theft. Some may use these data to procure drugs.
“It has become a gold mine for hackers,” the site notes cybermalveillance.gouv.fr.
Auchan eliminates plastic trays for fish and meat
Auchan has announced the elimination of plastic trays in its butcher’s and fishmonger’s departments from March. This will represent a saving of 1,100 tonnes of plastic per year.
55 million. This is the number of plastic trays used each year in the butcher’s and charcuterie and fish departments of Auchan stores. A huge amount of plastic… not recyclable. It is indeed expanded polystyrene, black or white. The supermarket chain will change that within a year and even remove plastic from these packaging, announces the France Bleu site.
Very soon therefore, the trays will be made of vegetable fibers. Especially sugar cane residue, which will not contain glue. Another advantage, Auchan announces: these new packaging will allow food to be stored for one more day. One way to also fight against food waste.
Auchan eliminates plastic trays for fish and meat
No more black or white plastic trays in the meat and fish departments of Auchan. The distributor has announced the elimination of all these trays to replace them with recyclable packaging. The new trays, produced in partnership with Alliance Packaging Group and Silver plastics, are made from plant fibers, “100% compostable at home,” said Auchan in its press release, published a few days ago and spotted by France Bleu. These new trays are made of materials from agricultural co-products, such as “sugar cane residues”. Already tested in 6 supermarkets, this measure should be extended to the entire Auchan network from March.
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