Is posting personal information about family members in Facebook status updates illegal.?

[Phil]

By Federal Law he is probably referring to HIPAA which ensures the privacy of patient records, It does not apply to you or your mother talking about your family members' health.

"The Privacy Rule provides federal protections for personal health information held by >> covered entities << and gives patients an array of rights with respect to that information..." Your family is not a "covered entity" under HIPAA.

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/und...index.html

That said, of course your mom should talk to your grandfather and be respectful of his privacy in this matter. But to share that he is ill and she is affected by it, well that's just being a family, and to share it with close friends too is certainly a reasonable thing to do.

And it is not a violation of the law. If grandpa is that touchy he shuldn't have told anyone...