Cuomo administration blocks release of nursing home data, citing 'personal privacy'

The administration of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo this week turned down requests from two separate news organizations for state coronavirus data, claiming that sharing such information would constitute an invasion of personal privacy. 

The New York Post reported on Friday that both the Post and the Associated Press had their Freedom of Information requests blocked by the administration, claiming that the requested data involving COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes "if disclosed, would
constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy."

The administration did not clarify what or whose personal privacy would be violated by the data; the Post said it "did not request any personal ID information of nursing home residents."

The Cuomo administration has been under significant fire this year for revelations that it concealed the extent of COVID-19 in the state's nursing homes due to concerns of federal oversight.