Increasingly, and on a moment-to-moment basis, we are creating data everywhere we tread, both online and offline--in spaces both public and private. This truism has, in many ways, led to the rise of privacy issues in today's society.   

But, just how close are we to the ubiquitous digitization of our lives? That is a question we explore in this month's issue of Inside 1to1: Privacy and in future issues, as we roll out a series of stories on major developments in the field of "always-on" data collection and tracking.

Also this month we'll look at the U.S. migration toward electronic health records (EHR). So far, adoption has been limited mostly to large hospitals and healthcare practices that can better afford the technology upgrades required to implement EHRs, but the 2004 White House executive order mandating universal EHRs for all citizens by 2014 looms, meaning that issues of cost and questions about privacy will soon need to be ironed out. The entrance of technology giants into this sphere will likely push the issue.

Some think the privacy risks of widespread EHRs are serious. Others think commercial entities have more incentive to make their EHR systems breach-proof due to the financial ramifications that would arise from privacy breaches. This month we explore the recently released EHR systems: Google Health, HealthVault and Revolution Health.

Both of these issues are replete with considerations for privacy professionals. Where do you fall on the spectrum? Write to us and let us know. Your thoughts will inform the series.

J. Trevor Hughes, CIPP

Executive Director, IAPP