Although the general public is generally warming up to the idea of conducting financial transactions and banking online—the still-growing popularity of ecommerce and online banking are testament to that fact—the idea of putting medical records online has raised more than a few eyebrows…and turned more than a few stomachs. The possible privacy implications of leaked medical records can be catastrophic: folks might find their private medical conditions and histories exposed to all the world, or find they are denied jobs, insurance, and other benefits due to discrimination. Nonetheless, industry giants like Google and Microsoft have been working on ways for individuals to securely store and control their medical records online, and selectively share information with health care providers.
