Southampton Residents and Employees' Privacy Breached

SOUTHAMPTON, NY (03/28/2025) (readMedia)-- The Village of Southampton has compromised the privacy of numerous village residents and employees by failing to securely store village files. These files were carelessly placed in boxes and trash bags and left in a village building, where they have been viewed by multiple individuals. Among the exposed personal information are personal identification numbers, medical records, accidents, personal home hygiene details and other sensitive particulars.

This egregious act has both breached the village's contract with CSEA and violates Public Law 104-91, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA).

New York State enacted the Personal Privacy Protection Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6-A, sections 91-99) to address public concern about privacy as it relates to the relationship between government and the people.

The law regulates the way the state collects, maintains and disseminates personal information.

State and federal laws offer strict protection of employees' confidentiality. These regulations require employers protect sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers and medical records. In the event that data is breached, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) have clearly defined standards. When data is breached, these laws mandate employers take specific actions to mitigate harm and notify affected individuals.

The Village of Southampton's most blatant legal violation prohibits the employer from communicating any employees' "personal identifying information" to the general public, which is exactly what the village is doing to CSEA members and village residents, whose files are on full display and easily accessible to the general public.

If the Village of Southampton does not adhere to state and federal law and correctly store these private files, CSEA will have no choice but to pursue legal action.

*CSEA will provide images of exposed files on request**