WASHINGTON (AP) The Obama administration appears to be making broader changes to protect consumer information on the government's health insurance website, after objections from lawmakers and privacy advocates.

The Associated Press reported last week that details such as consumers' income and tobacco use were going to private companies with a commercial interest in such data.

AP also reported that a number of companies had embedded connections on HealthCare.gov, raising privacy and security issues for some tech experts.

An independent analysis of the health care website, released Saturday, showed that the number of embedded connections to private companies had dropped from 50 to 30.

Those changes accompanied another shift by the administration to curtail the release of specific personal information from the website. The AP reported that change Friday.

After failing to respond to interview requests, the administration posted a statement Saturday evening. HealthCare.gov CEO Kevin Counihan acknowledged that privacy questions have been raised, and added: "We are looking at whether there are additional steps we should take to improve our efforts. While this process is ongoing, we have taken action that we believe helps further increase consumer privacy."

Officials have said the sole purpose of embedded connections to private companies was to monitor HealthCare.gov and improve performance for consumers.

The episode could become a blemish on what's otherwise shaping up as a successful open enrollment season for the second year of expanded coverage under President Barack Obama's health care law.

Lawmakers continue to insist on a full explanation.

HealthCare.gov is used by millions to sign up for subsidized private coverage under the law, or to merely browse for insurance plans in their communities.

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More privacy protection sought for feds' health care website