The hacked Anthem Inc. database containing 80 million Social Security numbers wasn’t encrypted. But would that have made a difference? Also, famed NBC newsman, Brian Williams, went on an apology tour this week after a story he has told repeatedly involving a shot-down helicopter in Iraq was exposed as a lie. Then, the documentary in the Virunga National Park in the Eastern Congo is anything but your typical nature documentary.
Cyber security expert: Even encryption no cure-all for Anthem hack
CA's largest for-profit health insurer suffered a massive hack announced yesterday. Today the questions are about how the stolen personal information of Anthem customers could be used.
The company claims no health records were accessed, but 80 million Social Security numbers were. It turns out the hacked database wasn’t encrypted but cyber security experts are wondering if that even would have made a difference.
Consumer Watchdog and Patient Privacy Rights are now calling on Cal INDEX, the health information database created by Anthem and Blue Shield of California, to allow consumers to opt-in rather than force them to opt-out.
What value does that information have for hackers? Why are healthcare companies becoming more attractive targets? Should we take solace in medical records being left alone, or does this raise red flags about protecting that information?
If you are an Anthem customer and you're worried that your data might have been stolen as part of the breach, it is recommended that you initiate a fraud alert with one of the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.
Guest:
Sean Hoar, a partner with the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, where he counsels health care clients and others on information security and cyber security threats; he’s the former lead cyber attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon
Why one lawmaker wants to make CA drivers license your smartphone
A California Assembly member is working to give Californians another reason to be glued to their smart phones with digital drivers licenses that can be accessed through a secure app.
The proposed legislation introduced in Sacramento Wednesday by Assemblyman Matt Dababneh (D-Encino) is behind similar efforts by Iowa and Delaware. The bill, AB221, would allow those interested in going digital to access their IDs through a secure PIN, however going digital would be voluntary.
Iowa is still working out the kinks with its digital ID shift. For instance, if a person is pulled over by an officer, what can prevent the officer from looking through an individual’s personal information on the phone?
How would this be funded? Could this switch to digital open vulnerability to hacking?
Guest:
Matt Dababneh, (D - Encino), State Assemblyman representing California’s 45th district, which covers most of the western San Fernando Valley. He’s also author of the bill that would allow digital ID cards.
Memory expert and behavioral economist debate Brian Williams’ false-memory claims
Famed NBC newsman, Brian Williams, went on an apology tour this week after a story he has told repeatedly involving a shot-down helicopter in Iraq was exposed as a lie. Williams cites faulty memory.
Can someone misremember an experience as traumatic and searing as being in a helicopter in a war zone that was shot down?
In light of Williams' apology, our friends at Ranker have put together a poll asking you who you think the most trustworthy celebrities in the world are. Cast your vote below!
The Most Trustworthy Celebrities in the World
Guests:
Elizabeth F. Loftus, Professor of Social Ecology, and Professor of Law, and Cognitive Science at UC Irvine. She is a cognitive psychologist and an expert on human memory.
Dan Ariely, Professor of Business at Duke and behavioral economist. He is the author of numerous books, including “The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone--Especially Ourselves” (Harper Perennial, 2013)
Filmweek: ‘Jupiter Ascending,’ ‘Seventh Son,’ ‘The Spongebob Movie’ and more
Larry and KPCC film critics Claudia Puig and Henry Sheehan review this week’s releases, including ‘Jupiter Ascending,’ ‘Seventh Son,’ ‘The Spongebob Movie’ and more. Plus, film critic Peter Rainer joins us from the star-studded Santa Barbara Film Festival. TGI-Filmweek!
Guests:
Claudia Puig, film critic for KPCC and USA today
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com
Peter Rainer, film critic for KPCC and the Christian Science Monitor joins us from the Santa Barbara Film Festival
'Virunga' director shares how Oscar-nominated film evolved from a nature documentary
The original plan was to shoot a nature documentary in the Virunga National Park in the Eastern Congo, looking at the good progress that park officials had made in encouraging tourism and development in the area.
But the film that writer, director, and producer Orlando von Einsiedel ultimately created, was anything but your typical nature documentary.
“Virunga” writer, producer, and director Orlando von Einsiedel joins AirTalk to share the stories of the caretakers he met, the conflict he unearthed, and the majestic mountain gorillas that roam Virunga National Park.
Guest:
Orlando von Einsiedel, writer, director, and producer of the Oscar-nominated documentary “Virunga.”