I’ve been following privacy news developments in the adult entertainment industry for year (see earlier coverage on PHIprivacy.net), because frankly, I don’t understand some of the political stuff that has gone on and why porn stars should have less medical privacy with respect than other workers. Surely STDs aren’t the only communicable diseases, so why are their tests subject to more sharing than others’ tests? In any event, there’s yet another development, it seems, as PJ Media reports:
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation has subpoenaed medical records of porn performers dating back as far as 2007. That means even the records of stars who have retired or died will be examined.
The Free Speech Coalition, a trade organization representing members of the porn industry, warned its membership in August of the subpoenas.
A blog posted on the Free Speech Coalition’s website called the subpoenas “ a clear HIPPA (sic) violation, and an affront to performer dignity.”
The Coalition warned the opening of performers’ medical records would expose them to “hackers, stalkers, the government, and to the AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation) itself.”
Read more on PJ Media. I really don’t understand how the foundation can just subpoena medical records. Why doesn’t that require a higher level of court oversight or approval?