**The Risk of a Digital Age: Acknowledging the Vulnerability of Our Personal Data**

The digital age has brought about numerous benefits, from increased connectivity to unparalleled access to information. However, this convenience comes with a steep price – our personal data is now more vulnerable than ever.

A recent cyber security breach of ManageMyHealth, a portal used by some general practices in New Zealand to communicate with patients, has left approximately 126,000 individuals' personal health information at risk. The breach serves as a stark reminder that even the most sensitive and private data can be compromised with ease.

Health Minister Simeon Brown has stated that Health NZ is working with ManageMyHealth on a "rapid notification" plan to inform those affected about which of their personal details may have been exposed. Meanwhile, ManageMyHealth has applied for an injunction to prevent further republishing of the leaked information. However, this response seems woefully inadequate in today's digital landscape.

In a world without borders or effective regulation, even a New Zealand court order is rendered ineffective. The true concern lies not only with the breach itself but also with the intentions of the hackers – who are exploiting people's personal information for financial gain.

The Government's stance on ransom demands from attackers is clear: they will not be paid. Yet, this position does little to alleviate the risk that our data remains in the hands of those who would misuse it. The use of AI by cybercriminals has made their tools increasingly sophisticated, leaving us even more vulnerable.

The problem with storing our personal and valuable information online is that we have lost control over it once it's leaked or hacked from the company responsible for its safekeeping. There are numerous examples of this – including last year's estimated 16 billion password exposure in what was likely to be the biggest data leak ever.

Health Minister Brown has requested a review of the ManageMyHealth incident, which will assess the cause of the breach, evaluate the adequacy of existing data protections, and recommend improvements to prevent future breaches. It remains to be seen what conclusions this review will reach, but it's clear that more needs to be done to safeguard our personal information.

As users, we must take matters into our own hands. This latest breach serves as a timely reminder to review the information we have uploaded online and take steps to protect ourselves. Utilize tools like the Government's 'own your online' risk assessment or seek advice from Netsafe to better safeguard your data.

In some cases, particularly when dealing with companies outside of New Zealand's jurisdiction, it may be necessary to weigh the convenience of storing our personal information against the risk of losing control over it. The time has come for us to acknowledge the risks and take proactive measures to secure our digital lives.