Connecticut Attorney General's Office

Press Release

Attorney General Announces Investigation Into Security Breach At Yale

August 18, 2010

            Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced today that his office is investigating a data breach after Yale Medical School reported the theft of a laptop containing personal health information involving as many as 1,000 individuals.

            Blumenthal’s office is investigating to determine the causes of the breach and whether state or federal laws have been violated.

            Blumenthal will also seek privacy protections for individuals affected, and measures to ensure that similar breaches are prevented in the future.

            “Yale Medical School is cooperating with my office -- recognizing that it has a profound responsibility to safeguard sensitive health information, and must be accountable to approximately 1,000 individuals whose information may be at risk,” Blumenthal said. “My office has begun an investigation to identify the cause of the breach and assure ongoing protections for patients.

            “This breach -- similar to recent breaches by others -- must be a reminder to guardians of sensitive health information about their significant legal and moral obligation to protect privacy.”