Marketplace Tech Some states shared private health information with Big Tech
Jul 1, 2025
An investigation reveals states accidentally shared private health information with tech giants, raising serious privacy concerns. Sensitive data from health exchanges was inadvertently leaked to companies like Google and LinkedIn due to tracking technologies meant for outreach. This breach exposes the ethical dilemmas of handling personal health data and the urgent need for stronger protections. As tech companies receive data they never wanted, the risks to individual privacy continue to grow, prompting calls for accountability and reform.
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States Accidentally Leak Health Data
- Some states unintentionally shared private health data with social media companies through their ACA exchanges.
- This data leak happened due to inappropriate use of tracking technologies on their websites.
Sensitive Health Info Shared Inadvertently
- Sensitive health information like pregnancy and medication details were unintentionally shared with LinkedIn, Snapchat, and Google.
- These were sent via pre-screening tools designed to help state exchanges understand visitor activity.
Legal Fallout from Data Leak
- A class action lawsuit was filed against LinkedIn and Google over the data leaks from the California exchange.
- Federal lawmakers are investigating whether these leaks violated privacy laws like HIPAA.