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Note that the USPS also scans and stores images of the front and back of all mail it delivers, even if you don't opt in for their digital delivery service[0]. So this means that the USPS - and anybody else with access to their images, which includes law enforcement - now knows the HIV status of these people.

[0] http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/03/us/postal-service-confirms...




Scarier point: USPS probably knows without that. If these letters are sent out in batches and the envelopes/timing/vender is unique, then all it takes is knowing that 1 letter is abut HIV and then you know all of them are without ever seeing the content.


At USPS scale, wouldn't the density of the letters versus public statistics on disease prevalence be a strong indication?


And I've seen a new complex in the bay where, for reasons unknown to me, it shows you the scans of all your neighbors.


This comment begs expansion.


In practice USPS/law enforcement will have this image data but they will not parse it for some time (if ever).


AFAIK in this case law enforcement is the Inspection Service which is part of USPS; if images are divulged to any other agency, it's through USPSIS.




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