[Dataloss] MA: Data for 450,000 mistakenly released

[lyger]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/04/data_for_450000_mistakenly_released/

The Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure has launched an 
internal probe and announced plans to review its protocols after the 
Social Security numbers of about 450,000 licensed professionals were 
inadvertently released.

The information was mailed last month to agencies that submitted a public 
records request for the names and addresses of professionals licensed by 
the division, said Kofi Jones, a spokeswoman for the state Executive 
Office of Housing and Economic Development, which oversees the division.

The division mailed 28 computer disks to 23 agencies that use the 
information as a marketing or promotional tool.

Officials said that 26 of the 28 disks have been recovered and that they 
do not believe anyone's personal information was compromised.

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